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Li Z, Zhang W, Cui J, Liu H, Liu H. Beneficial effects of short-term exposure to indoor biophilic environments on psychophysiological health: Evidence from electrophysiological activity and salivary metabolomics. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117843. [PMID: 38061588 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The utilization of short-term natural exposure as a health intervention has great potential in the field of public health. However, previous studies have mostly focused on outdoor urban green spaces, with limited research on indoor biophilic environments, and the physiological regulatory mechanisms involved remain unclear. OBJECTIVES To explore the affective and physiological impact of short-term exposure to indoor biophilic environments and their potential regulatory mechanisms. METHODS A between-group design experiment was conducted, and the psychophysiological responses of participants to the indoor plants (Vicks Plant) were measured by a method combined the subjective survey, electrophysiological measurements, and salivary biochemical analysis. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plants were also detected to analyze the main substances that caused olfactory stimuli. RESULTS Compared with the non-biophilic environment, short-term exposure to the indoor biophilic environment was associated with psychological and physiological relaxation, including reduced negative emotions, improved positive emotions, lower heart rate, skin conductance level, salivary cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increased alpha brainwave power. Salivary metabolomics analysis revealed that the differential metabolites observed between the groups exhibited enrichment in two metabolic pathways related to neural function and immune response: phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis. These changes may be associated with the combined visual and olfactory stimuli of the biophilic environment, in which D-limonene was the dominant substance in plant-derived VOCs. CONCLUSION This research demonstrated the benefits of short-term exposure to indoor biophilic environments on psychophysiological health through evidence from both the nervous and endocrine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoming Li
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Internet Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wenzhu Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Internet Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jingxian Cui
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Internet Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Internet Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Hong Liu
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Internet Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
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Qiu Y, Wang Y, Li Y. Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction of Essential Oils from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. at Different Harvesting Times and Their Skin-Whitening Cosmetic Potential. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11122389. [PMID: 36552598 PMCID: PMC9774158 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Litsea cubeba fruit, which has the highest content of essential oils in the plant, is an important woody oil plant resource. In this study, the influence of the solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) and hydrodistillation (HD) techniques on the extraction of L. cubeba fruit essential oils was investigated in terms of yield, kinetics, and chemical composition, where the former conditions were optimized by the response surface design. The maximal essential oil yield was obtained under the optimal SFME process conditions (442 W and 24 min), where the irradiation time was the most important variable (p < 0.0001). Regardless of the extraction method used, the influence of harvesting time on L. cubeba fruit essential oils were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed afterwards, where the SFME essential oil from July showed its superiority over the others regarding its higher extraction yield and better bioactivities. Compared with the HD method, the SFME approach could significantly enhance the yield of essential oils extracted from June to August by nearly 47% with the advantages of saving energy and low environmental impact. Interestingly, the SFME method could selectively extract monoterpene hydrocarbons such as D-limonene with relation to different compositions and bioactivities. Moreover, SFME essential oil showed a better inhibitory effect on tyrosinase and melanogenesis, indicating its skin-whitening potential as a new promising natural cosmetic ingredient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Qiu
- Guangdong International Joint Research Center for Oilseeds Biorefinery, Nutrition and Safety, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Guangdong International Joint Research Center for Oilseeds Biorefinery, Nutrition and Safety, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ying Li
- Guangdong International Joint Research Center for Oilseeds Biorefinery, Nutrition and Safety, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Qingyuan Yaokang Biotechnology, Qingyuan 513200, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-20-85220032; Fax: +86-20-8522-6630
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Measurement of Stress Relief during Scented Cosmetic Product Application Using a Mood Questionnaire, Stress Hormone Levels and Brain Activation. COSMETICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics9050097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, consumers’ well-being plays a decisive role in the purchase of cosmetic products. Although factors influencing consumers' well-being are very subjective, companies strive to develop their products in such a way that a positive effect is likely. Therefore, methods are required to objectively explore and scientifically prove the product’s performance on humans. In this placebo-controlled study, a method was developed to evaluate relaxation or stress relief associated with one olfactory ingredient of a cosmetic product (face cream). Our experimental protocol included product testing in 25 healthy females, while an emotion questionnaire, analysis of saliva samples regarding the concentration of the hormones cortisol and α-amylase and mobile EEG measurement for quantification of the alpha brain waves before and after stress induction were conducted. It was shown that with this experimental design, the sample with the ingredient produced significant stress relief, as evidenced by significantly less negative emotion, significantly lowered cortisol levels and showed a trend towards a significant increase in alpha activity compared to placebo application. Our data provide evidence that this method is suitable for analyzing the differences between the two samples. In the future, this method can be utilized in the current or a further optimized form to evaluate the psychophysiological effects of cosmetic products on humans.
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Essential Oils, Phytoncides, Aromachology, and Aromatherapy—A Review. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chemical compounds from plants have been used as a medicinal source for various diseases. Aromachology is a unique field that studies the olfactory effects after inhaling aromatic compounds. Aromatherapy is a complementary treatment methodology involving the use of essential oils containing phytoncides and other volatile organic compounds for various physical and mental illnesses. Phytoncides possess an inherent medicinal property. Their health benefits range from treating stress, immunosuppression, blood pressure, respiratory diseases, anxiety, and pain to anti-microbial, anti-larvicidal, anti-septic, anti-cancer effects, etc. Recent advancements in aromatherapy include forest bathing or forest therapy. The inhalation of phytoncide-rich forest air has been proven to reduce stress-induced immunosuppression, normalize immune function and neuroendocrine hormone levels, and, thus, restore physiological and psychological health. The intricate mechanisms related to how aroma converts into olfactory signals and how the olfactory signals relieve physical and mental illness still pose enormous questions and are the subject of ongoing research. Aromatherapy using the aroma of essential oils/phytoncides could be more innovative and attractive to patients. Moreover, with fewer side effects, this field might be recognized as a new field of complementary medicine in alleviating some forms of physical and mental distress. Essential oils are important assets in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and food preservatives. The use of essential oils as an aromatherapeutic agent is widespread. Detailed reports on the effects of EOs in aromatherapy and their pharmacological effects are required to uncover its complete biological mechanism. This review is about the evolution of research related to phytoncides containing EOs in treating various ailments and provides comprehensive details from complementary medicine.
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Eddin LB, Jha NK, Meeran MFN, Kesari KK, Beiram R, Ojha S. Neuroprotective Potential of Limonene and Limonene Containing Natural Products. Molecules 2021; 26:4535. [PMID: 34361686 PMCID: PMC8348102 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Limonene is a monoterpene confined to the family of Rutaceae, showing several biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antinociceptive and gastroprotective characteristics. Recently, there is notable interest in investigating the pharmacological effects of limonene in various chronic diseases due to its mitigating effect on oxidative stress and inflammation and regulating apoptotic cell death. There are several available studies demonstrating the neuroprotective role of limonene in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, anxiety, and stroke. The high abundance of limonene in nature, its safety profile, and various mechanisms of action make this monoterpene a favorable molecule to be developed as a nutraceutical for preventive purposes and as an alternative agent or adjuvant to modern therapeutic drugs in curbing the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of the available scientific literature discussing the pharmacological activities of limonene or plant products containing limonene which attribute to the protective and therapeutic ability in neurodegenerative disorders. This review has been compiled based on the existing published articles confined to limonene or limonene-containing natural products investigated for their neurotherapeutic or neuroprotective potential. All the articles available in English or the abstract in English were extracted from different databases that offer an access to diverse journals. These databases are PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Collectively, this review emphasizes the neuroprotective potential of limonene against neurodegenerative and other neuroinflammatory diseases. The available data are indicative of the nutritional use of products containing limonene and the pharmacological actions and mechanisms of limonene and may direct future preclinical and clinical studies for the development of limonene as an alternative or complementary phytomedicine. The pharmacophore can also provide a blueprint for further drug discovery using numerous drug discovery tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujain Bader Eddin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (L.B.E.); (M.F.N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India;
| | - M. F. Nagoor Meeran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (L.B.E.); (M.F.N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Kavindra Kumar Kesari
- Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 Espoo, Finland;
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 00076 Espoo, Finland
| | - Rami Beiram
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (L.B.E.); (M.F.N.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (L.B.E.); (M.F.N.M.); (R.B.)
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Qiu Y, Yu Y, Lan P, Wang Y, Li Y. An Overview on Total Valorization of Litsea cubeba as a New Woody Oil Plant Resource toward a Zero-Waste Biorefinery. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133948. [PMID: 34203392 PMCID: PMC8272090 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With the increasing global demand for edible oils and the restriction of arable land minimum in China, woody oil plants have gradually become the optimal solution to cover the shortage of current edible oil supply and to further improve the self-sufficiency rate. However, due to the lack of knowledge and technique, problems like “how to make full use of these plant resources?” and “how to guide consumers with reasonable data?” limit the development of woody oilseed industry towards a sustainable circular economy. In this review, several emerging unique woody oil plants in China were introduced, among which Litsea cubeba as a new woody oil plant was highlighted as a reference case based on its current research progress. Unlike other woody oil plants, essential oil rather than oil from Litsea cubeba has always been the main product through the years due to its interesting biological activities. Most importantly, its major component, citral, could be the base for other synthesized perfume compounds with added value. Moreover, the sustainable biorefinery of large amounts of waste residual after Litsea cubeba essential oil processing is now technically feasible, which could inspire a total valorization pathway for other woody oil plants to make more competitive plant-based products with both economic, social, and ecological benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Qiu
- Guangdong International Joint Research Center for Oilseeds Biorefinery, Nutrition and Safety, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yasi Yu
- Guangdong International Joint Research Center for Oilseeds Biorefinery, Nutrition and Safety, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Ping Lan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute for Advanced and Applied Chemical Synthesis, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Yong Wang
- Guangdong International Joint Research Center for Oilseeds Biorefinery, Nutrition and Safety, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.Y.)
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-20-8522-0032 (Y.W. & Y.L.); Fax: +86-20-8522-6630 (Y.W. & Y.L.)
| | - Ying Li
- Guangdong International Joint Research Center for Oilseeds Biorefinery, Nutrition and Safety, Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.Y.)
- Qingyuan Yaokang Biotechnology, Qingyuan 513200, China
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-20-8522-0032 (Y.W. & Y.L.); Fax: +86-20-8522-6630 (Y.W. & Y.L.)
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