To verify the effects of hiba essential oil in restrained stressed rats, we analyzed physiological variables and psychophysiological behavior. Stressed-HEO rats inhaled hiba essential oil aroma after restraint period. The quantities of food and water intake and the excretion amount of stressed rats were smaller than those of non-stressed control rats. Body weights of stressed rats decreased compared with those of control rats. These physiological variables of stress-HEO rats significantly recovered compared with those of stressed rats (P < 0.001). Stress-related anxiety was assessed using the elevated plus-maze test. Entry times into the open arms of stressed rats were less than those of control rats (P < 0.05). In contrast, the suppression of entry times into the open arms of stressed rats was restored by the inhalation of hiba oil. The results suggest that hiba essential oil inhalation reduced stress-induced growth inhibition and stress-related anxiety.
Keywords: elevated plus-maze test; hiba essential oil; irritable bowel syndrome; rat; restrained stress.