Aromatherapy Today - Madasafish



Aromatherapy Today

Vol 20 December 2001

Pages 18 – 21

Research Notes

Australian Sandalwood

By Valerie Gearon

Valerie Gearon has a background in medical science, specifically clinical chemistry and medical microbiology, and holds a Diploma of Perfumery. She has been working in phytochemistry for two years with a particularly interest in elucidation of the therapeutic properties and mechanisms of action of Australian sandalwood oil, Santalum spicatum. Valerie manages the Research and Development and Quality Assurance Labarotory for the Australian Sandalwood Company, Albany, Western Australia.

Recent research interests have concerned scientific validation of historical use of sandalwood and other essential oils for relaxation and relief from anxiety. Many natural agents make this claim, but not all claims withstand scrutiny. The potential to use fragrances such as Australian sandalwood oil to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and reduce stress is vast and may in the future obviate reliance on medications which manifest adverse reactions. In addition, the implication that one has the potential to take control of resolution of ill-health, and contribute, to a large extent, to rectifying this state, is empowering and thus liberating.

Research Notes: Australian Sandalwood Oil,

Santalum spicatum

It is difficult to separate the aesthetic effect of inhalation of fragrances from the therapeutic application. Indeed the perceived dichotomy between the two terms is, in reality, erroneous. There is ample scientific evidence to show that an activity which gives pleasure has a psychological impact. In addition, many fragrance molecules have significant therapeutic benefit in their own right, and regardless of their odour quality.

Upon inhalation, an aroma is detected by the olfactory nerve endings, from whence the odour molecules pass to the limbic system, or ‘old brain’. This system is related to instinctive responses such as emotional, sexual and aggressive behaviour. Although it has been previously assumed that the highest level of the brain, the neocortex, dominates others, it is now apparent that is not so, and that, in fact, the limbic brain can overtake the higher mental functions when necessary. This is no doubt related to Darwinian theory, particularly that of survival of the fittest – most adults would have experienced the manifestation of lust overtaking intellect, a prehistoric throwback to propogation of the species, even apart from the hedonistic factor.

The therapeutic of fragrances, as exploited in the practice of aroma therapy, are characteristics which were identified by our ancestors, one assumes through trial and error. Sandalwood oil has been used for thousands of years as, amongst other things, a sedative. This use transverses the globe, from Australia to Tibet and Ancient China, Greece and India.

Research shows that, following inhalation of sandalwood oil, low concentrations of the sesquiterpine alcohols, alpha & beta-sanatol, which predominate in the oils of species Saltalum album and S. spicatum , can be detected in the blood¹. Australian research identifies these alcohols, acting in synergy with other constituents of

S. spicatum, as manifesting potent anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. Japanese scientists have investigated the neuropharmacological characteristics of sandalwood oil (S. album), and have confirmed sedative and analgesic properties²

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry³ investigated the effect on physiological parameters and self-evaluation of both inhalation and topical administration of sandalwood oil (Santalum album). They observed that inhalation of sandalwood oil led to a sel-evaluation of greater alertness and attentive ability than that experienced by the control group. With the intention of excluding olfactory processing and influence, subjects were also assessed following topical application of sandalwood oil and concomitant exposure of pure air through respiratory apparatus. The results of this study were a reduction in heart rate, blink rate and (marginally) systolic blood pressure, in comparison with the control group.

¹ Jirrovetz L, Bucchbaauuer G et al. Analysis of Fragrance Components in Blood samples of Mice by Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectronomy. GC/ FTIR and GC/ AES after inhalation of Sandalwood oil. Biomedical Chromatography, Vol 6, 133-11134 1992

² Okugawa H, Ueda R et al. Effect of a – sanitol and b – sanatol from sandalwood oil on the central nervous system in mice. Phytomedicine Vol 2 (2), 119-126, 1995

³ Hongratanaworakit T, Heuberger E and Buchbauer G. Effects of Sandalwood Oil and alpha-sanatol on Humans 1 and 11: Inhalation and Percutaneous Administration. Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vienna, 2000

|The physiological and psychological impact od sandalwood oil induces a state of ‘relaxed alertness’, that is, whilst the body |

|is in a state of sedation. EEG patterns show an increase in alpha waves, making computations, broad comprehension and the |

|ability to focus easier. The state is somewhat like that experienced during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep – sleep being the |

|ultimate sedation. The two major neurotransmittors involved in sleep are serotonin and norepinephrine. As the different |

|stages of sleep occur, the concentrations of these two chemicals alter. Searatonin is calming and norepinephrine stimulating.|

|Sandalwood oil is said to stimulate the release of serotonin. Interestingly, a successful treatment of depression is to |

|awaken the patient at the onset of REM sleep. This regulates the imbalance of norepinephrine and serotonin, and alleviates |

|depression. |

| |

|There are a number of medical procedures which significantly exacerbate anxiety and stress – as referred to in a previous |

|edition of Aromatherapy Today, magnetic resonance imaging is one, In addition, the ramifications of anxiety during serious |

|states of ill – health, (for example diabetes, which necessitates multiple injections daily; cancer, where adverse events are |

|associated with treatment; and terminal illness, often accompanied by great pain and emotional trauma) are obviously |

|detrimental, in both an emotional and physical sense. |

| |

|There is an important place for therapeutic fragrances like sandalwood oil in these applications. One can see why smell |

|therapy is being researched for a myriad of conditions, including neurodegenerative illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, as a |

|tool for their potential in treating the cause of some pathological states. It is imperative that all states off ill health |

|be considered in an holistic fashion – that is, one treats the physical symptoms, the physical cause where possible, and the |

|emotional repercussions too. |

The Anti-Inflammatory effect of Australian

sandalwood oil, Santalum spicatum

Sandalwood oil has been used to treat genitor-urinary tract and skin infections for many years. In Europe it was utilised as a remedy for fever and pain, as aspirin is used today. Germany’s Commission E has approved sandalwood oil S. album, for the treatment of bladder infections. In conjunction with other therapies.¹ The oil is said to act as an internal anticeptic.

Australian sandalwood oil, Santalum spicatum, was used as an internal anticeptic in the 1920’s and deemed to be “of equal therapeutic value to the oil of Santalum album”² Contemporary evidence affirms the potent therapeutic effect of the oil, as an antimicrobial ans anti-inflammatory agent. This effect is a synergistic one between many constituents of the oil, including the isomers of sanatol and nuciferol, and E, E farsenol (which demonstrates anti-tumor properties in vitro ) and epi-alpha bisabolol (anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerative).

In the early 1920’s clinical trials using Australian sandalwood oil were undertaken at several public hospitals. These trials were very successful, and Santalum spicatum was used continuously from this time until the advent of antibiotics. The Chief Resident Medical Officer of Perth Hospital, Western Australia, signed an extract dated 18th December 1923, which stated:; “In reference to….Western Australian Sandalwood Oil,…the oil has been extensively used, with good results.”² The physician in charge of the Veneral Disease Clinic at Perth Hospital commented at the same time, “I have the pleasure of reporting that I found it quite equal to the imported oil”² The Honourary Gynaecologist of Perth Hospital drew the same conclusions, as did the Chief Dispenser of that hospital, the Chief Resident of Fremantle Hospital and the Principle Medical Officer of the Victorian Board of Health.

Mt. Romance has confirmed historical and anecdotal evidence of the significant antimicrobial properties of Australian Sandalwood oil. This oil is strongly biocidal towards many disease – causing organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, (and MSRA, or Golden Staph, and EMRSA) and ,many species of Streptococcus, in addition to the organisms responsible for acne, thrush, tinea, Athleetes Foot and ringworm. The replication of of Herpes Simplex Viruses 1 and 2, the causative agents of cold sores, and genital herpes, is inhibited by the oil.

Initial anti-inflammatory work conducted on S. spicatum concluded that “A clearly significant anti-inflammatory effect {is} observed against UV-induced inflammation. The effectiveness {is} similar to that of the positive control, Indomethacin, a known anti-inflammatory agent”³ This evidence led to a determination of the enzyme inhibition of S.spicatum, with significant results.

Australian sandalwood oil is very inhibitory towards both cyclo-oxygenase enzymes; COX1 aand COXX 2, and 12 – lipoxxygenase (see below) (Research data provided by Australian Phytochemicals Ltd., Southern Cross University, NSW 2480)

|Inhibition of COX -1 (by PGE²) |

|Test Samples |0.04mg/ml |0.2mg/ml |

|Sandalwood oil 1 |59 |68 |

|Sandalwood oil 2 |36 |75 |

|Sandalwood oil 3 |58 |83 |

|Indomethacin |0.08 ug/ml |52 |

(columns 2 and 3 show the % inhibition of PGE, metabolite)

|Inhibition of 12 - LO |

|Test Samples |0.04mg/ml |0.2mg/ml |

|Sandalwood oil 1 |15 |75 |

|Sandalwood oil 2 |97 |97 |

|Sandalwood oil 3 |98 |97 |

|Nordihydro-guaiaretic acid |0.15 ug/ml |90 |

(columns 2 and 3 show the % inhibition of 12-HETE metabolite)

|Inhibition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE²) formation |

|Catalysed by cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) |

|By sandalwood oil |

|Test Samples |0.04mg/ml |0.2mg/ml |

|Sandalwood oil 1 |18.7 |63.6 |

|Sandalwood oil 2 |14.5 |49.2 |

|Sandalwood oil 3 |15.2 |56.8 |

|Aspirin |11.8 |39.2 |

This enzyme inhibitory activity is highly significant in terms of the potential application of sandalwood oil for the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. All non – steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs currently leading the market are specifically COX – 2 inhibitors. In addition, COX – 2 inhibitors are involved in the prevention of tumour formation by a clearly elucidated mechanism, and are used in cancer treatment regimes.

Potential product application: sandalwood oil behaves as a non – steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These are used by millions of people globally to relieve pain, and for fever and inflammation (eg arthritis) and are applied both topically and orally (oral use is significantly more widespread). NSAIDs work by inhibiting COX enzymes, which are involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have an important role in the production of pain, inflammation and fever. Sandalwood oil works much like aspirin, although it’s inhibition of COX 2 is in fact greater than that of aspirin. Cox – 2 inhibitors are the new generation anti-inflammatories, and include the fastest – selling new drug in history (faster even than Viagra)., Celebrex. These new NSAIDd inhibit COX -2 only. In recent times, the FDA has issued warnings about Celebrex and other leading specifically COX – 2 inhibitors, since adverse cardiological effects have been observed. The postulation is that in order to avoid adverse events, inhibition of both enzymes, as manifested by Australian sandalwood oil, is required. NSAIDs are used topically in the treatment of soft tissue injuries and inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. Sandalwood oil can be used in this way for all inflammatory conditions including

• Arthritic conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, carpel tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and gout.

• Wounds, sprains, cartilage and muscle injury (eg sport – induced injury)

• Premenstrual pain

• Insect bites and stings

• Inflammatory conditions of the skin, including psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, nappy rash

• Inflammatory conditions of the breast, eg mastitis (often originating from bacterial infection caused by S. aureus, which Sandalwood oil is biocidal towards, abcesses

Further Considerations

• The enzymes inhibited by Australian sandalwood oil are implicated in many serious events in the body. For example, 12 – lipoxygenase leads to the release of the vasoconstrictor angiotensin 11, leading to hypertension (this is probably one of the mechanisms of reduction of systolic blood pressure observed following the topical application of sandalwood oil)

• A clinical trial on twins¹, one of whom in each pair had Alzheimers disease, the other whom did not, found that many of the twins who did not have the disease were taking anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis. A clinical trial in now underway to ascertain whether anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce progress of this disease in early stages.

• Some researchers classify artherosclerosis as an inflammatory disease. This is one of the reasons why aspirin is prescribed as a preventative medicine for diabetes and people at risk of this and other coronary conditions. (Not solely for blood-thinning purposes). The implication is that other anti-inflammatory agents (Like Australian sandalwood oil) may assist in the prevention and treatment of heart disease². Furthermore, 12- lipoxygenase plays an important role in artherosclerosis by inducing oxygenation of low density lipoprotein (LDL)

• The 12-LO products can activate many of the pathways which lead to increased vascular and renal disease, probably through the generation of superoxide radicals. Research is currently looking at the role of lypoxygenasis in platelet function, artherosclerosis, carcinogenesis and other inflammatory reactions³

References

1 Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commision E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines., Austin Tx: American Botanical Council. Intergrative Medicine Communications, 1998:118.

2 Marr HV. The Essential Oil of Australian Sandalwood. The Australasian Journal of Pharmacy, September 20 1926, p 805.

3 Unpublished – Greenoak G. Anti-inflammatory Assay on 22 Human Subjects, Australian Photobiology Testing Facility, NSW, 2000

4. National Institute of Aging. Alzeimer’s Disease, unravelling the mystery. 1995

5. The American Heart Organisation. Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C – Reactive Protein.

6. Funk. C. Cardiovascular Function and Inflammation in gene – disrupted mouse models. The cell biology of lipoxygenasis and leukotrienes. Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Philadelphia, 2001

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