Aloysia deserticola (rica-rica) essential oil impairs inhibitory synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Aloysia deserticola is an aromatic plant native to the Chilean Andean highlands that has traditionally been used in herbal preparations. Although a previous behavioral study reported the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of rica-rica essential oil in an animal model, its neurophysiological actions at cellular and synaptic levels remain largely unexplored. In this study, we characterized A. deserticola essential oil (AD-EO) using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and examined its acute effects on GABAergic synaptic transmission via whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons in acute dorsal hippocampal slices obtained from C57BL/6 J mice. GC–MS analysis revealed an enriched thujone chemical profile, with peaks tentatively identified as α- and β-thujone accounting for 89.06% and 3.38% of the total chromatographic area, respectively. Application of AD-EO to the bath reduced evoked inhibitory postsynaptic current (eIPSC) amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner and shortened eIPSC decay kinetics. This is consistent with a postsynaptic contribution to the suppression of inhibitory signaling. At intermediate-to-high estimated thujone-equivalent concentrations, AD-EO increased the paired-pulse ratio. Coefficient-of-variation analysis supported the presence of an additional presynaptic component. Consistent with these findings, AD-EO reduced the frequency and amplitude of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Furthermore, the effects on eIPSC amplitude and the paired-pulse ratio were reversible following washout. Together, these results demonstrate that AD-EO suppresses inhibitory synapses in CA1 pyramidal neurons via effects consistent with pre- and postsynaptic locus . These results provide electrophysiological evidence that AD-EO modulates hippocampal inhibitory transmission and support further investigation of the mechanisms underlying the neurophysiological actions of this complex natural preparation.
Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology
Institutions: University of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar University
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Awards: G2455702828, EXTRACTION IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VOLATILE AND NON-VOLATILE COMPOUNDS FROM LEAVES OF A NATIVE PLANT OF CHILE'S ANDINE ZONE LAMPAYO MEDICINALIS F. PHIL. AND EVALUATION OF THE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY ON PROSTATE CANCER, RESTORING PARVALBUMIN INTERNEURON FUNCTION REVERTS LONG-LASTING CONSEQUENCES OF ADOLESCENT KETAMINE EXPOSURE ON DENTATE GYRUS FUNCTION AND RECOGNITION MEMORY., G9000926129, G9001207173, G9001262132, G9001285415
OpenAlex ID: W7221834607