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Anti-insomnia Effect of a Polyherbal Formulation on P-chlorophenyalanine Induced Experimental Animal Model

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Sheethal Sreevallabhan at St.Thomas College, Palai
Sheethal Sreevallabhan
M Ratheesh
M Ratheesh
M Ratheesh
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Svenia P Jose
Svenia P Jose
Svenia P Jose
  • This person is not on ResearchGate, or hasn't claimed this research yet.
Sandya Sukumaran at Indian Institute of Science Bangalore
Sandya Sukumaran
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Abstract and Figures

Sleep is a dynamic and controlled set of physiological and behavioural practices during which the stabilisation and restoration processes of the body take place properly. Therefore, sleep disorders, especially chronic insomnia, can harm an individual’s physical and mental health. However, the therapeutic alternatives are limited and possess severe side effects. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-insomnia effect of a polyherbal formulation (Sleep) (SLP) on p-chlorophenyalanine (PCPA) induced insomnia in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of PCPA induced the experimental condition, and the therapeutic effect of SLP was evaluated by studying the sleep pattern and expression of various neurotransmitters and receptors, along with neurotrophins. Moreover, insomnia-associated oxidative stress and inflammation were also studied. From the findings, we found that the SLP-supplemented animals improved their sleeping behaviour and that the major neurotransmitters, hormones, and receptors were maintained at an equilibrium level. Furthermore, the neurotrophin level was increased and pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced. The evaluation of oxidative stress markers shows that the antioxidants were significantly boosted, and as a result, lipid peroxidation was prevented. The overall findings suggest that SLP can be used as an effective medication for the treatment of sleep disorders like insomnia as it triggers the major neurotransmitter system.
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Neurochemical Research (2024) 49:327–337
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-023-04035-2
awakenings, and a poor quality of life [2]. This condition
mostly shows gender disparities since women have insom-
nia more frequently than men [3]. In the modern era, the
prevalence of insomnia has been estimated to be 8–40%.
However, in the general population, 20–30% experience
dierent kinds of insomniac symptoms, and 8–10% of citi-
zens have severe insomnia [4].
Various researchers have proposed that stress is a closely
related condition that leads to dierent types of sleeping dis-
orders, including insomnia, that may arise after a stressful
experience or under stressful circumstances. Moreover, indi-
viduals with sleep problems are more susceptible to anxiety
and depression after any stressful situation than those with
a normal sleep cycle [5, 6]. These signs may coexist with
impaired memory and immune function, decreased mental
activity, a slower response time, and autonomic dysfunc-
tion [7]. Although the exact mechanism of insomnia is still
unknown, it is widely accepted that disturbances in sleep-
wake rhythm play a signicant role in the occurrence of
insomnia. There are dierent neurotransmitters and neural
pathways that aect the rhythm of the sleep–wake cycle.
Introduction
Sleep is regarded as one of the non-negotiable activities for
humans and is thought to be the most crucial component
in sustaining both physical and mental health. However,
several factors, such as mood disorders, ageing, decreased
amplitude of circadian cycles, and neurocognitive and hor-
monal abnormalities, substantially impair sleep quality
and result in insomnia [1]. Insomnia is a widespread epi-
demic that is marked by diculty in falling asleep, frequent
M Ratheesh
biochemistrystcp@gmail.com
1 Department of Biochemistry, St. Thomas College, Palai,
Kottayam, Kerala 686574, India
2 -Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
3 -Research and Development, Kerala Ayurveda Ltd, Athani,
Ernakulam, Kerala, India
4 Katra group, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Abstract
Sleep is a dynamic and controlled set of physiological and behavioural practices during which the stabilisation and res-
toration processes of the body take place properly. Therefore, sleep disorders, especially chronic insomnia, can harm an
individual’s physical and mental health. However, the therapeutic alternatives are limited and possess severe side eects.
Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-insomnia eect of a polyherbal formulation (Sleep) (SLP) on p-chlo-
rophenyalanine (PCPA) induced insomnia in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of PCPA induced the experimental condition,
and the therapeutic eect of SLP was evaluated by studying the sleep pattern and expression of various neurotransmit-
ters and receptors, along with neurotrophins. Moreover, insomnia-associated oxidative stress and inammation were also
studied. From the ndings, we found that the SLP-supplemented animals improved their sleeping behaviour and that the
major neurotransmitters, hormones, and receptors were maintained at an equilibrium level. Furthermore, the neurotrophin
level was increased and pro-inammatory cytokines were reduced. The evaluation of oxidative stress markers shows that
the antioxidants were signicantly boosted, and as a result, lipid peroxidation was prevented. The overall ndings suggest
that SLP can be used as an eective medication for the treatment of sleep disorders like insomnia as it triggers the major
neurotransmitter system.
Keywords Insomnia · Neurotransmitters · neurotrophins · Inammation · Oxidative stress
Received: 12 August 2023 / Revised: 16 September 2023 / Accepted: 20 September 2023 / Published online: 28 September 2023
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023
Anti-insomnia Eect of a Polyherbal Formulation on
P-chlorophenyalanine Induced Experimental Animal Model
SSheethal1· MRatheesh1· Svenia PJose1· SSandya2· SaralaSamuel3· JayashreeMadhavan4
1 3
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
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