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Smelling Citrus Oils Prevents Asthma in
Rats
(NY, Reuters Health, 12/21/04)
Dr. Ehud Keinan of the Technion-Israel Institute of
Technology in Israel, and colleagues, provoked asthma-like
symptoms in rats and then exposed them to limonene, a key
ingredient in citrus fruit aroma, or eucalyptol, a component
in the scent of eucalyptus. The investigators monitored the
rats for a period of 20 hours to five days and found that
only rats in the limonene group were symptom-free. The
scientists believe that the limonene inhibits asthma by
ridding the lungs of ozone, a substance in air pollution
that tends to increase bronchial inflammation. Eucalyptol,
on the other hand, does not dissipate ozone. These findings
suggest that inhaling limonene may protect against asthma.
(Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry,
December 8, 2004) |
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