Sedative effect of vapor inhalation of essential oil fromHeracleum afghanicumKitamura seeds

Abstract

Heracleum afghanicum (Apiaceae) is a perennial plant indigenous to Afghanistan. Phytochemical and pharmacological analyses of H. afghanicum seeds essential oil were carried out to investigate its possible sedative effects on mice spontaneous locomotor activity. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and thirty-three constituents were identified. Hexyl butyrate (34.3%) and octyl acetate (21.1%) were found as its principal constituents. The sedative effect of H. afghanicum essential oil was confirmed using an open field test with ddY mice. The essential oil significantly decreased the locomotor activity of mice, suggesting its sedative effect. Hexyl butyrate and octyl acetate were found to be responsible for the sedative activity of H. afghanicum seeds essential oil.