Behavioral effects of plant-derived essential oils in the Geller type conflict test in mice

The present study was conducted to further explore plant-derived essential oils that possess an anticonflict effect using the Geller type conflict tes t in ICR mice. The benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam increased the respons e (lever pressing) rate during the alarm period (i.e., an anticonflict effe ct), but the 5-HT1A partial agonist buspirone did not. Oils of juniper, cyp ress, geranium and jasmine did not produce any effect in this test. Frankin cense oil decreased the response rate during the safe period at 1600 mg/kg, but did not exhibit any effect on the response rate during the alarm perio d. In contrast, lavender oil increased the response rate during the alarm p eriod in a dose-dependent manner in the same manner as diazepam. These resu lts indicate that not only rose oil but also lavender oil possess an antico nflict effect in mice.