Abstract: To study the mechanism of aroma in relieving depressive symptoms,the main components of anti-depressant compound essential oil were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Meanwhile,the metabolites of urine samples were detected and analyzed by the method of urine metabonomics to identify the differential metabolites and find the related metabolic pathway.The results showed that 41 compounds,including terpenes,alcohols,esters,have been identified in the anti-depressant compound essential oil.In human urine samples,six metabolites,including glycine,taurine and serine,were found to change significantly before and after aromas treatment,involving taurine metabolism and glycine,serine and threonine metabolic pathways.This suggests that aromatherapy can alleviate depression by regulating neurotransmitters,taurine and other metabolic pathways in patients with depression.

Key words: metabonomics, essential oil, aroma, depression