Anxiolytic Effect of Citrus aurantium L. on Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

The bone marrow aspiration procedure is used in hematological diseases and consists of a painful, invasive procedure causing anxiety-associated symptoms. The present study assessed the effect of Citrus aurantium L. essential oil on the treatment of anxiety, in the moment that precedes the collection of medullary material in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Volunteers from both sexes were divided into groups receiving either the C. aurantium essential oil through inhalation, diazepam (10 mg), or the placebo. The evaluation was performed through psychometric scales [State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)] and physiological measurements (blood pressure and cardiac and respiratory frequency). Inhalation of C. aurantium was associated with a decrease in the STAI-S scores, suggesting an anxiolytic effect. In support of these results, a change in all the physiological measurements was observed in the group exposed to C. aurantium. In the diazepam group, only the diastolic pressure decreased, and no effect was observed in the placebo group. Therefore, the results showed that C. aurantium exhibits an anxiolytic effect and reduces the signs and symptoms associated with anxiety in patients with CML.

The zebrafish as a promising tool for modeling human brain disorders: A review based upon an IBNS Symposium

“…Citrus aurantium's extracts are used in Puerto Rico and other cultures in folklore medicine to treat anxiety (Alvarado-Guzmán 2009; Hernandez et al, 1984;Pimenta et al, 2016). An aqueous extract made from C. aurantium's leaves has anticonvulsant properties in a PTZ-induced seizure model of zebrafish (Rosa-Falero et al, 2014 properties) is currently being pursued in an attempt to refine the molecules involved.…”

Anxiolytic Effect of Citrus aurantium L. in Crack Users

“…In one study, a decrease in SBP was observed by the group exposed to Citrus aurantium L. EO, with a similar effect to the group that received diazepam [11]. Based on the results presented, researchers observed satisfactory results of Citrus aurantium L. EO in decreasing the parameters of DBP and HR, postulating that the effects of EO on the physiological parameters suggest a decrease in autonomic excitability.…”

“…Data has indicated that using Citrus aurantium L. EO has achieved results indicating anxiolytic effects, both in animals and human studies [11, 13, 14]. These findings highlight a new path in the scientific field for novel research evaluating results that corroborate and amplify the knowledge about the EO of Citrus aurantium L. and its anxiolytic effects in diverse population groups.…”

“…Data indicated that patients who inhaled the EO Citrus aurantium L. presented a decrease in the IDATE-E score and remained relaxed during the procedure. EO, even used in only a single dose, presented similar performance levels to the anxiolytic diazepam and demonstrated efficacy in the anxiety control of patients undergoing an unpleasant diagnostic procedure [11]. …”

“…Among the species, Citrus aurantium L. is popularly known as “bitter orange” [11], and its EO is rich in limonene [12]. Data has indicated that using Citrus aurantium L. EO has achieved results indicating anxiolytic effects, both in animals and human studies [11, 13, 14].…”