Aromatherapy with Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Chuju essential oil alleviates allergic rhinitis by modulating the mTOR-PPARγ signaling cascade.

Abstract

Conventional treatments for allergic rhinitis (AR), such as oral medications and nasal sprays, can effectively alleviate symptoms but often cause side effects, including potential organ damage and symptom relapse after discontinuation. Aromatherapy, a traditional approach used in respiratory care, offers a potentially safer and non-invasive alternative. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Chuju essential oil-based aromatherapy (CJA) against AR using network pharmacology, in vivo experiments, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Volatile compounds in Chuju essential oil were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Network pharmacology analysis was employed to predict the overlapping targets between volatile constituents- and AR-related genes, followed by the construction of a protein-protein interaction network. Key hub genes were identified using the Molecular Complex Detection clustering algorithm. To validate the results of network pharmacology, an ovalbumin-induced AR mouse model was used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CJA. Molecular biology assays were further performed to verify key targets. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were then conducted to investigate the binding affinity and stability between the major volatile compounds and their respective targets. Our results demonstrate that (-)-isolongifolol, acetate and (Z,E)-α-farnesene are the major bioactive volatile constituents of Chuju essential oil. These compounds appear to exert anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the mTOR-PPARγ signaling cascade, thereby alleviating AR symptoms in the mouse model. Collectively, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of CJA as a promising natural intervention for managing AR.