Effect of Essential Oil of Cedarwood (Cedrus Atlantica) against Serum Cortisol Levels in Rats Which Were Given Stressor

Abstract

: Stress is a response of the body to any demand that can affect the body’s endocrine system such as the release of cortisol into the bloodstream. Essential oils have been widely used for stress treatment because they have a calming effect. One of them is cedarwood essential oil. This study was conducted to determine the effect of cedarwood balm against serum cortisol levels in rats which were given stressor. In this study wistar male rats were randomly selected. This animal was exposed to forced swim test as stressor and then they were given cedarwood balm. We used 3 groups, the first group were given a daily forced swim test and applied cedarwood balm on the shaved back, the second group were given a daily forced swim test only, the third group were given nothing. Their serum cortisol levels were measured by ELISA test after 30 days. Result were analysed by Kruskal Wallis test for all group and man whitney test as a post test (p < 0,05). Serum cortisol level was significantly lower in cedarwood balm group then the other groups. When the all group were compared, serum cortisol level was significantly different (p = 0,018). In conclusion this indicates that cedarwood balm affect the endocrine regulatory mechanism to modulate stress responses.