ABSTRACT
Inhalation of scent compounds with phenylpropanoidal structures, such as trans-cinnamaldehyde, is expected to increase the appetite. The scent of curry powder is well known for its appetite-enhancing effect on humans. In this work, we show that the appetite of mice after inhalation of curry powder essential oil or benzylacetone showed a similar increase. The components of curry oil, trans-cinnamaldehyde, trans-anethole, and eugenol, each showed appetite-enhancing effects; therefore, these three scent compounds may be the active compounds in curry powder oil.
Subject(s)
Acrolein/analogs & derivatives , Anisoles/pharmacology , Appetite Stimulants/pharmacology , Eugenol/pharmacology , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Spices , Zingiber officinale , Acrolein/analysis , Acrolein/pharmacology , Allylbenzene Derivatives , Animals , Anisoles/analysis , Appetite/drug effects , Appetite Stimulants/analysis , Eugenol/analysis , Male , Mice , Oils, Volatile/chemistryABSTRACT
Few studies exist on intake stimulants in forage plants, although a large amount of research has been conducted on deterrents to the feeding behavior of herbivore livestock. To study intake stimulants in plants, chemical components of perennial ryegrass were extracted, fractionated, and examined for their effects on the feeding behavior of sheep. Methanol extracts were found to be stimulants, and pentane extracts tended to be deterrents. The ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extracts stimulated feeding, and the basic ethyl acetate-soluble fractions of the methanol extracts were bioactive. These results suggest that the basic and less volatile chemicals in perennial ryegrass stimulate feeding in sheep in the absence of other cues.
