Phytochemical and Anti-oxidant Activity of Lavandula Angustifolia Mill. Essential oil on Preoperative Anxiety in Patients undergoing Diagnostic Curettage

Abstract

Free radicals and oxidative stress are involved in variety of disorders including atherosclerosis, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, cancer, immune dysfunction, anxiety and aging (1). So in recent years there is an increasing interest in attraction of natural antioxidant derived from aromatic medicinal plants, which could be relevant in relation to their role in health disease and their nutritional value (2). For many patients, preoperative stage is critical and anxieties in which mental status can be adversely affected by increased tension, headache, confusion and lack of memory (3). Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a perennial aromatic plant, belonging to the Lamiaceae family with regard as natural antioxidants (4). It has been used in the treatment of depression, amenorrhea, insomnia and analgesia (5). Lavender oil contains linalool alcohol, ketone, and sterzoaldehyde ketone to reduces pain, inflammation and helps for sleeping. Lavender extract stimulates the olfactory bulb, it can release encephalin, endorphin and serotonin, which cause feelings of calm and reduce anxiety (6). In another study, Celal Bayar considered the effect of lavender extract on anxiety level of students in two control and study groups, and concluded that the study group (42.7612.48) compared with control (51.5112.21) had significantly lower anxiety (P=0.002) (7). Da Porto et al., also concluded that the lavender extract increases brain concentration among young men and can lower anxiety in clinical situations (8), so its extract, as a delightful fragrance, is extensively used to improve a wide range of states such as stress, depression, enhancing employees productivity, increasing attention and learning level, enhancing writing, motional, cognitive and memory skills (9). The present study was carried out in order to evaluate of essential oil composition, antioxidant properties and examine the effect of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. oil on preoperative anxiety in patent in Sayyad Shirazi