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Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function

Kennedy, David; Okello, Edward; Chazot, Paul; Howes, Melanie-Jayne; Ohiomokhare, Samuel; Jackson, Philippa; Haskell-Ramsay, Crystal; Khan, Julie; Forster, Joanne; Wightman, Emma

Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function Thumbnail


Authors

David Kennedy

Edward Okello

Melanie-Jayne Howes

Samuel Ohiomokhare

Philippa Jackson

Crystal Haskell-Ramsay

Julie Khan

Joanne Forster

Emma Wightman



Abstract

Background: Extracts of several members of the monoterpene-rich Lamiaceae sub-family Nepetoideae, including those from the Salvia (sage), Melissa (Lemon balm) and Rosmarinus (rosemary) genera, evince cognitive and mood effects in humans that are potentially related to their effects on cholinergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. To date, despite promising in vitro properties, the cognitive and mood effects of the closely related Mentha spicata (spearmint) and Mentha piperita (peppermint) remain unexplored. This study therefore assessed the human cognitive/mood effects of the M. spicata/piperita essential oil with the most promising, brain-relevant in vitro properties according to pre-trial in vitro screening. Design: Organic spearmint and peppermint (Mentha spicata/piperita) essential oils were pre-screened for neurotransmitter receptor binding and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over study, 24 participants (mean age 25.2 years) consumed single doses of encapsulated placebo and 50 µL and 100 µL of the most promising essential oil (peppermint with nicotinic/GABAA receptor binding and AChE inhibitory properties, that increased calcium influx in a CAD cell neuronal model). Psychological functioning was assessed with mood scales and a range of standardised, cognitively demanding tasks pre-dose and at 1, 3 and 6 h post-dose. Results: The highest (100 µL) dose of essential oil improved performance on the cognitively demanding Rapid Visual Information Processing task (RVIP) at 1 h and 3 h post-dose and both doses attenuated fatigue and improved performance of the Serial 3 s subtraction task at 3 h post-dose. Conclusion: Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil with high levels of menthol/menthone and characteristic in vitro cholinergic inhibitory, calcium regulatory and GABAA/nicotinic receptor binding properties, beneficially modulated performance on demanding cognitive tasks and attenuated the increase in mental fatigue associated with extended cognitive task performance in healthy adults. Future investigations should consider investigating higher doses

Citation

Kennedy, D., Okello, E., Chazot, P., Howes, M., Ohiomokhare, S., Jackson, P., …Wightman, E. (2018). Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function. Nutrients, 10(8), Article 1029. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081029

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 2, 2018
Online Publication Date Aug 7, 2018
Publication Date Aug 7, 2018
Deposit Date Aug 10, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Nutrients
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 10
Issue 8
Article Number 1029
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081029

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