Myrcene as a potential natural treatment in mild traumatic brain injury: Neurosensory changes

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) represents a significant public health concern, often resulting in long-term cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments. Despite its prevalence, effective therapeutic strategies for mitigating mTBI consequences remain limited. For the first time, this study seeks to explore the potential neuroprotective properties of myrcene, a natural compound with promising implications for intervention. Myrcene, a monoterpene abundant in various plant species, exhibits notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Preclinical studies have shown its efficacy in mitigating neuroinflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing neuronal survival, suggesting its potential utility in ameliorating mTBI-induced neuronal damage. Among the various sequelae of mTBI, alterations in pain, motor coordination, general well-being, aggression, sociability behaviors, and depression are prominent, highlighting the urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. Given the absence of options and the promising neuroprotective attributes of myrcene, this study investigated myrcene efficacy in reducing mTBI consequences in a mouse model through a multi-disciplinary approach using behavioral tests, brain tissue immunofluorescence, and LC-MS analysis of endocannabinoids in microdialysates from the prelimbic cortex of treated mice. Our results support the potential effect of myrcene treatment on pain, quality of life, and mood regulation, while rebalancing morphological and neurochemical changes by regulating endocannabinoid levels.