The Aromatic Scents of Four Plants in Learning and Memory of Drosophila melanogaster

Authors

  • Bryan Paul D. De Galicia Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Paul Mark B. Medina, PhD Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6116-1818

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.vi0.5035

Keywords:

Drosophila melanogaster, learning, memory, APS assay, Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha x piperita, Citrus limon, Coffea robusta, Coffea arabica

Abstract

Introduction. Folkloric claims have surrounded essential oils, including their enhancement of learning and memory through inhalational exposure. Few studies in humans have shown a benefit in cognition, albeit incremental. However, this benefit may not be entirely attributable to the essential oil aroma but may be confounded by psychological associations. We investigated rosemary, peppermint, lemon, and coffee aromas in a learning and memory model of Drosophila melanogaster to eliminate this confounder.

Methods. We screened for concentrations of the four treatments that are non-stimulatory for altered locomotory behavior in the flies. At these concentrations, we determined if they were chemoneutral (i.e., neither chemoattractant nor chemorepellent) to the flies. Learning and memory of the flies exposed to these aromas were determined using an Aversive Phototaxis Suppression (APS) assay.

Results. The aromas of rosemary, peppermint, and lemon that did not elicit altered mobility in the flies were from dilute essential oil solutions that ranged from 0.2 to 0.5% v/v; whereas for the aroma in coffee, it was at a higher concentration of 7.5% m/v. At these concentrations, the aromas used were found to be chemoneutral towards the flies. We observed no improvement in both learning and memory in the four aromas tested. While a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in learning was observed when flies were treated with the aromas of rosemary, peppermint, and coffee, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in memory was only observed in the peppermint aroma treatment.

Conclusion. This study demonstrated that in the absence of psychological association, the four aromas do not enhance learning and memory

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Published

2024-02-28

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Articles

How to Cite

1.
The Aromatic Scents of Four Plants in Learning and Memory of Drosophila melanogaster. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2024 Feb. 28 [cited 2025 Apr. 4];58(3). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/5035

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