Composition Characterization of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira Hydrosol and Its Enhanced Effects on Erectile Function.

Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira (CO) is an endemic species of Taiwan. This study elucidated the composition of CO hydrosol, revealing trans-cinnamaldehyde (65.03%), trans-cinnamyl acetate (7.57%), and coumarin (4.31%) as the main volatile compounds. Seven compounds were identified in the water fraction of hydrosol, including a novel compound, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)oxetan-3-ol. This marks the first investigation into high-polarity compounds in hydrosol, extending beyond the volatile components. Notably, two compounds, trans-phenyloxetan-3-ol and cis-phenyloxetan-3-ol, demonstrated significant inhibition activity against phosphodiesterase type five (PDE5), with IC50 values of 4.37 µM and 3.40 µM, respectively, indicating their potential as novel PDE5 inhibitors. Furthermore, CO hydrosol was evaluated against enzymes associated with erectile dysfunction, namely acetylcholinesterase (AChE), angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), and arginase type 2 (ARG2). These findings underscore the potential of CO hydrosol to modulate erectile function through diverse physiological pathways, hinting at its prospects for future development in a beverage or additive with enhanced effects on erectile function.

Anti-inflammation activity of fruit essential oil from Cinnamomum insularimontanum Hayata.

In this study, the fruit essential oil of Cinnamomum insularimontanum was prepared by using water distillation. Followed by GC-MS analysis, the composition of fruit essential oil was characterized. The main constituents of essential oil were alpha-pinene (9.45%), camphene (1.70%), beta-pinene (4.30%), limonene (1.76%), citronellal (24.64%), citronellol (16.78%), and citral (35.89%). According to the results obtained from nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity assay, crude essential oil and its dominant compound (citral) presented the significant NO production inhibitory activity, IC(50) of crude essential oil and citral were 18.68 and 13.18microg/mL, respectively. Moreover, based on the results obtained from the protein expression assay, the expression of IKK, iNOS, and nuclear NF-kappaB was decreased and IkappaBalpha was increased in dose-dependent manners, it proved that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of citral was blocked via the NF-kappaB pathway, but it could not efficiently suppress the activity on COX-2. In addition, citral exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory activity in the assay of croton oil-induced mice ear edema, when the dosage was 0.1 and 0.3mg per ear, the inflammation would reduce to 22% and 83%, respectively. The results presented that the fruit essential oil of C. insularimontanum and/or citral may have a great potential to develop the anti-inflammatory medicine in the future.

Effect of Hinoki and Meniki Essential Oils on Human Autonomic Nervous System Activity and Mood States.

Meniki (Chamecyparis formosensis) and Hinoki (C. obtusa) are precious conifers with excellent wood properties and distinctive fragrances that make these species popular in Taiwan for construction, interiors and furniture. In the present study, the compositions of essential oils prepared from Meniki and Hinoki were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Thirty-six compounds were identified from the wood essential oil of Meniki, including Δ-cadinene, γ-cadinene, Δ-cadinol, α-muurolene, calamenene, linalyl acetate and myrtenol; 29 compounds were identified from Hinoki, including α-terpineol, α-pinene, Δ-cadinene, borneol, terpinolene, and limonene. Next, we examined the effect of Meniki and Hinoki essential oils on human autonomic nervous system activity. Sixteen healthy adults received Meniki or Hinoki by inhalation for 5 min, and the physiological and psychological effects were examined. After inhaling Meniki essential oil, participant's systolic blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were decreased, and diastolic blood pressure increased. In addition, sympathetic nervous activity (SNS) was significantly decreased, and parasympathetic activity (PSNS) was significantly increased. On the other hand, after inhaling Hinoki essential oil, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and PSNS were decreased, whereas SNA was increased. Indeed, both Meniki and Hinoki essential oils increased heart rate variability (HRV) in tested adults. Furthermore, in the Profile of Mood States (POMS) test, both Meniki and Hinoki wood essential oils stimulated a pleasant mood status. Our results strongly suggest that Meniki and Hinoki essential oils could be suitable agents for the development of regulators of sympathetic nervous system dysfunctions.