Revisión bibliográfica sobre la actividad farmacológica de los aceites esenciales en neuroprotección

Abstract

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases do not have curative care; for this reason, research with essential oils has become very important in recent years, since date shows that they have a potential neuroprotective effect. General objective: To develop a bibliographic review on the pharmacological activity of essential oils in neuroprotection. Methodology: Bibliographic review of primary research articles on the pharmacological activity of essential oils in neuroprotection. Results: 537 articles were obtained through the implementation of searching equations and 13 articles were selected according to the established criteria. Five articles refer to lavender oil: Two about its effects in multiple sclerosis, and three in dementia: two articles deal with sesame oil: One on its effects in multiple sclerosis and one in Alzheimer’s disease. One article mentions pomegranate seed oil effects in multiple sclerosis. Three articles address the effects of cannabis oil: One in dementia, one in Alzheimer’s disease, and one in motor disorders. Two articles feature perilla seed oil and its effects in the treatment of dementia. Conclusion: Essential oils have substantial nutraceutical properties, among which their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity stand out. One of its more frequently uses under study is its potential pharmacological action as adjuvant treatment for different neurodegenerative diseases; additionally, it features a wide margin of safety. Therefore, health personnel in charge of treating pathologies of this nature might consider the use of essential oils as a useful tool for their treatment.