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975898 
Journal Article 
Abstract 
Geranium essential oil inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production from activated microglial cells 
Elmann, A; Mordechay, S; Rindner, M; Ravid, U 
2008 
Yes 
Free Radical Biology and Medicine
ISSN: 0891-5849
EISSN: 1873-4596 
45 
Suppl. 
S104-S104 
English 
WOS:000260867900293 
is part of a larger document 3452652 SFRBM's 15th Annual Meeting: Program and Abstracts
Microglial cells are the major immune cells in the brain. Experimental evidences demonstrate that over activated microglia are involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ischemia. Activated microglia secrete reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and proinflammatory factors including nitric oxide (NO). NO is an important mediator of inflammation and neuronal cell death. NO reacts with a superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite and peroxynitrous acid, which is more toxic to a biological systems than superoxide anion or NO alone. Since NO has been implicated in the etiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases, the inhibition of NO synthesis has been proposed to be a possible target in the treatment of these diseases. Essential oils have been used as anti-inflammatory remedies and therapeutic agents since ancient times. in the present study, essential oils from 27 herbs and spices were tested for their effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) by primary rat brain microglial cells. the essential oil of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) was the only oil that inhibited, in a concentration dependent manner, 60% of the NO produced from the activated microglia. This reduction did not result from a cytotoxic effect of the oil. in order to identify the active component/s in the oil, the major constituents of this oil (i.e. citronellol, citronellyl formate, menthon, linalool, geraniol and nerol) were separately tested for their effect on NO production. At their natural relative concentrations in the oil, non of these compounds could inhibit NO production. However, the inhibitory activity could be restored using a solution of "reconstituted" Geranium oil, which was composed of these constituents at their relative natural concentrations. the results suggest a possible synergistic interaction between these components. Due to their small molecular size and lipophilicity, these molecules have the capacity to readily cross the blood brain barrier. Thus, geranium oil might have beneficial effects in the prevention/treatment of neurodegenerative diseases where NO is part of the pathophysiology. 
Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine 15th Annual Meeting 
Indianapolis, IN 
November 19-23, 2008