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Medicinal plants for insomnia: A review of their pharmacology, efficacy and tolerability
Abstract
A number of medicinal plants are traditionally endowed with anxiolytic or sedative properties and, in the context of this revue, both indications are considered since the former may induce a mood conducive to the latter. For any sleep-inducing drug to be effective, a tranquil ambience needs to be established a priori. Thus, physical ailments (i.e. pain), factors interfering with sleep (i.e. noise), psychological conditions causing stress, psychiatric illnesses (i.e. depression) and other drugs that interfere with sleep (i.e. caffeine) need to be controlled, if possible. Kava-kava is a well-established hypnotic drug, with a rapid onset of effect, adequate duration of action and minimal morning after-effects. However, reports of serious hepatotoxicity with this preparation have led to it being banned in most countries worldwide. On the other hand, side-effects with valerian would appear to be bland indeed. However, it's slow onset of effect (2-3 weeks) renders it unsuitable for short-term use (i.e. 'jet-lag'), but it does have profound beneficial effects on sleep architecture (augments deep sleep) that may make it particularly suitable for long-term use and for the elderly. In a personal trial (not double-blind) in stress-induced insomnia, both kava and valerian improved sleep and the ill-effects of stress, and the combination of the two was even more effective for the control of insomnia. Aromatherapy (lavender, chamomile, Ylang-Ylang) would appear to improve sleep, but how practical a form of treatment this may be remains to be determined. The only other plant drug that may have some effect on sleep is melissa, but reports are too scanty to form any opinion about this. Based on animal experiments, passion flower (passiflora) may have a sedative action, but the sedative action of hops has not been investigated in any detail. In conclusion, there is a need for longer-term controlled studies with some of these compounds (particularly valerian). Aromatherapy constitutes a tantalising possibility. In the interpretation of this review, it should be borne in mind that the evidence on which it is based is often incomplete or missing, but that is all that is available. Consequently some conjecture on the part of the author is inevitable and should be appreciated as such.
... However, alternative remedies are being employed to overcome these challenges. In aromatherapy, kava-kava, valerian, chamomile, ylang-ylang, melissa, hops, and lavender oils are being used to improve sleep (Wheatley, 2005). These oils have mild sleep-inducing effects without negative changes and a low rate of side effects. ...
... It is known to cause dermatitis and allergic reaction in some populations. The lethal dose (LD50) is 5 g/kg (dermal) in rabbits (Wheatley, 2005). In addition, limonene also affects barbital sleep (Yang et al., 2003(Yang et al., , 2016. ...
... Furthermore, the inhalation of lavender oil was conducive to maintaining sleep-inducing properties by the increase in alpha-power in the electroencephalogram (EEG), which occurs during relaxation owing to repetitive injection in patients with stress-induced insomnia (Wheatley, 2005). A study by Lewith reported that sleep quality improved after 4 weeks of lavender oil inhalation in 10 people (Lewith et al., 2005). ...
This study aimed to examine the effects of several essential oils on insomnia in dementia patients following transdermal treatment (aromatherapy). The mean change rates (%) of sleep biomarkers were compared between the single essential and jojoba (vehicle) oil massage groups in this study. The lavender (L) essential oil massage group demonstrated a significant decrease in the mean change rate (%) of 24-h urinary free cortisol, whereas the valerian (V) essential oil massage group demonstrated a significant increase in the mean change rate (%) of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine. In addition, a significant increase in the mean change rate (%) of 24-h urinary norepinephrine was observed in the chamomile (C) essential oil massage group only. Based on these results, valerian, lavender, and chamomile oils were mixed in different ratios to produce blending oils A (L:C:V=2:2:1), B (L:C:V=3:1:1) and C (L:C:V=1:3:1). The highest level of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine was observed after administering blending oil A. These results suggest that blending oil A might possess therapeutic effects against insomnia. Overall, it is hypothesized that the optimally blended essential oil will produce synergic effects when combined with hypnotic drugs.
... Many of the therapeutic approaches are aimed at countering the effect of any substance or process that would compromise sleep. For instance, caffeine, excess alcohol, or some forms of stress such as depression would prevent adequate sleep by inducing episodic or prolonged awakenings [23]. Conventional pharmacological regimens involve the prescription of benzodiazepines ( Fig. 17.2), tricyclic antidepressants ( Fig. 17.3), and antihistamines ( Fig. 17.4) [24]. ...
... In many parts of Africa and India, piper plant parts especially flowers have been used for the production of white, green, and black pepper, providing a source of tea infusions [48,49]. Although a significant number of species are not available in various countries, kava popularity has compelled commercial distribution to various parts including the United States of America, Germany, the United Kingdom, and many other parts in Europe [23,50]. The "roots," stem, and leaves of this plant are used as raw materials for herbal formulations comprising of juicy recipes that are taken orally to treat respiratory problems, convulsions, fever, urogenital infections, and most importantly to remedy sleep problems [23,51]. ...
... Although a significant number of species are not available in various countries, kava popularity has compelled commercial distribution to various parts including the United States of America, Germany, the United Kingdom, and many other parts in Europe [23,50]. The "roots," stem, and leaves of this plant are used as raw materials for herbal formulations comprising of juicy recipes that are taken orally to treat respiratory problems, convulsions, fever, urogenital infections, and most importantly to remedy sleep problems [23,51]. ...
Insomnia and sleep apnea represent the most prevalent sleep disorders worldwide. Incidences are discouraging, with perhaps less attention in some parts, and the complexity in the pathophysiologies of the two diseases pose a major challenge to clinicians and researchers. Mainstream therapeutic regimens are afflicted by adverse side effects, laborious, demanding enormous amounts of money, and are in particular, less accessible to the vast majority. Traditional medicine remains critically the “Hobsons’s choice” and stands out as a scaffold for the development of novel drugs with more desirable pharmacological attributes. This chapter covers the pathophysiological attributes of insomnia and sleep apnea, pointing out their interplay, possible biomarkers, and targets for both conventional and alternative therapeutic approaches. The chapter further delves more into the role of selected most important plant species in the management of insomnia and sleep apnea. Realizing the importance of phytochemistry in the drug discovery endeavor, the chapter, as well, underscores the phytochemical profile underlying the neuropharmacological relevance of each plant to its possible effectiveness in improving sleep quality.
... Here, we selected 25 commercially available plant extracts to identify those containing melatonin-like activities. Based on the known modulatory properties of melatonin receptor ligands on sleep and depression, extracts from plants reported to have beneficial properties in reducing sleep disorders and anxiety were selected (for more details on the choice of plants, see the Methods Section) [23,24]. A similar rationale has been successfully applied previously to the identification of plant-derived molecules acting on adenosine receptors [25]. ...
... In several cases, the most active principle has been identified [1,2]. Plant-derived molecules may span the full range of GPCR ligands including competitive ligands binding to the orthosteric Commercially available extracts (Table 1) were selected based on the following references reporting beneficial properties of plants in reducing sleep disorders and anxiety: for Ex1, and Ex6 (Melissa officinalis); Ex2, and Ex5 (Passiflora incarnata); Ex4 (Crocus sativus); Ex3, and Ex7 (Eschscholzia californica), Ex9 (Hypericum perforatum), Ex12 (Humulus lupulus), Ex13 (Withania somnifera), Ex19 (Rhodiola rosea); Ex24, and Ex25 (Valeriana offinalis) see [23,24]; for Ex12, Ex24, and Ex25 see [25]; for Ex14 (Withania somnifera) see [26]; for Ex18 (Pistacia vera) see [27]; and for Ex23 (Verbena officinalis) see [28]. ...
Melatonin is a tryptophan derivative synthesized in plants and animals. In humans, melatonin acts on melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Synthetic melatonin receptor agonists are prescribed for insomnia and depressive and circadian-related disorders. Here, we tested 25 commercial plant extracts, reported to have beneficial properties in sleep disorders and anxiety, using cellular assays (2─[125I]iodomelatonin binding, cAMP inhibition, ERK1/2 activation and β-arrestin2 recruitment) in mock-transfected and HEK293 cells expressing MT1 or MT2. Various melatonin receptor-dependent and -independent effects were observed. Extract 18 (Ex18) from Pistacia vera dried fruits stood out with very potent effects in melatonin receptor expressing cells. The high content of endogenous melatonin in Ex18 (5.28 ± 0.46 mg/g extract) is consistent with this observation. Ex18 contains an additional active principle that potentiates the effect of melatonin on Gi protein-dependent pathways but not on β-arrestin2 recruitment. Further active principles potentiating exogenous melatonin were detected in several extracts. In conclusion, we identified plant extracts with various effects in GPCR-based binding and signalling assays and identified high melatonin levels and a melatonin-potentiating activity in Pistacia vera dried fruit extracts that might be of therapeutic potential.
... People use medicinal plants due to low cost and better efficacy (Chen et al., 2011). Plants are commonly prescribed in the treatment of insomnia, and clinical studies have shown that medicinal plants have beneficial effects on insomnia (Salter and Brownie, 2010;Sarris et al., 2011;Taibi et al., 2009;Wheatley, 2005;Yeung et al., 2012). Medicinal plants appear to be effective in the treatment of insomnia. ...
... Nonprescription medications, antihistamines, and melatonin are also useful in insomnia (Moree et al., 2009). Various plants are found useful as follows: M. thonningii, S. longepedunculaca, O. sanctum, D. anethifolia, L. angustifolia Mill, C. oxyacantha, C. monogyna, O. vulgare, and so on (Wheatley, 2005). Phytochemicals used as sedative agents are terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, and quinoids (Malami et al., 2014). ...
... People use medicinal plants due to low cost and better efficacy (Chen et al., 2011). Plants are commonly prescribed in the treatment of insomnia, and clinical studies have shown that medicinal plants have beneficial effects on insomnia (Salter and Brownie, 2010;Sarris et al., 2011;Taibi et al., 2009;Wheatley, 2005;Yeung et al., 2012). Medicinal plants appear to be effective in the treatment of insomnia. ...
... Nonprescription medications, antihistamines, and melatonin are also useful in insomnia (Moree et al., 2009). Various plants are found useful as follows: M. thonningii, S. longepedunculaca, O. sanctum, D. anethifolia, L. angustifolia Mill, C. oxyacantha, C. monogyna, O. vulgare, and so on (Wheatley, 2005). Phytochemicals used as sedative agents are terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, and quinoids (Malami et al., 2014). ...
Insomnia is a state defined as trouble with sleep; it is a chronically disabling condition and is now significantly prevalent, imposing enormous health and economic burdens both on individuals and on society. This state includes trouble in falling asleep, problems staying asleep, fragmented sleep (repeatedly awakening at night), and/or awakening before time in the morning. This difficulty in sleeping causes feeling exhausted during the day and trouble with daytime activities including driving, family responsibilities, and completion of valued daily routines. Different types of synthetic sedative drugs are used to handle nervous system changes, but repeated use of sedatives caused tolerance in the human body. After a while, people had to take a heavy dose of sedative to make them feel sleepy, which imposes extra toxic effects on vital organs of the body. Medicinal plants are gaining more and more attention as sedative agents because herbs contained different types of natural bioactive metabolites with not well reported side effects. In addition, medicinal plants have economic, high efficacy and are easy available. So in current review plants possessing sedative activities have been compiled with their constituents responsible to manage insomnia. Review of the literature indicated that medicinal plants from various systems of medicine have been reported to possess sedative activity. This review suggests that medicinal plants are efficacious for insomnia; further laboratory and clinical studies are required.
... The positive effects of this herbal medicine on depression, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and poor cognition have been reported (Abuhamdah and Chazot, 2008;Gyllenhaal et al., 2000;Kennedy et al., 2004;Kennedy et al., 2002). Aromatherapy with extract of M. officinalis is also used in the treatment of migraines, headaches, mood disorder, rheumatic pains, sexual disorders, immune disorders, and menopausal symptoms due to its sedative and antispasmoic effects (Brown and Gerbarg, 2001;Mirabi et al., 2017;Wheatley, 2005). There is limited (and controversial) evidence concerning the effectiveness of M. officinalis for improving obstetrics and gynecological health issues. ...
... (GABA) type A receptors [10]. Different clinical studies have demonstrated valerian has positive effects on both the sleep structure and sleep perception of insomnia patients after several weeks with relatively few side effects [11]. ...
Purpose of Review
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of valerian intervention for insomnia on both subjective and objective sleep parameters.
Recent Findings
Twenty-one RCTs with a total of 1433 participants were retrieved after searching on 6 electronic databases. The results indicated that, for subjective parameters, valerian may have a small to moderate effects on PSQI score (standardized mean differences (SMD), −1.21; 95% CI [−1.92 to −0.51]), self-reported dichotomous outcome of sleep quality (risk ratio (RR) =1.37; 95% CI [1.13 to 1.68]), and self-reported sleep duration (RR=1.27; 95% CI [1.02 to 1.57]). For objective parameters, valerian only have significant effect on the length of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage 3 (SMD= 0.89; 95% CI [0.35 to 1.43]) of the patients. Heterogeneity was mainly due to varied study designs, especially in preparation, outcomes measured, duration of follow-up, and populations.
Summary
Valerian intervention for insomnia may improve PSQI scores, subjective dichotomous outcomes of sleep quality and duration, and time of NREM stages 3.
... Te relationship between Piper and depression is little explored in the literature, compared to insomnia [59], epilepsy [54], and anxiety [41]. Te articles are more related to piperine and its role as an antidepressant agent [60]. ...
Aim:
The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of mental illnesses is a reality that accompanies the history of civilizations, and the Piper genus exhibits many species with pharmacologically proven central effects. Then, this study evaluated the neuropharmacological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from Piper cernuum (HEPC) leaves to validate its uses in folk medicine.
Materials and methods:
Primarily Swiss mice (female, 25-30 g) were pretreated with HEPC (50-150 mg/kg, p.o.), vehicle, or the positive control, and submitted to open-field test (OFT), inhibitory avoidance test (IAT), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swim test (FST). Also, mice were exposed to pentylenetetrazol- and strychnine-induced seizure assay, pentobarbital-induced hypnosis test, and elevated plus-maze (EPM). The GABA levels and MAO-A activity were measured in the animal's brain after 15 days of HEPC administration (150 mg/kg, p.o.).
Results:
Mice pretreated with HEPC (100 and 150 mg/kg) and exposed to pentobarbital presented decreased sleep latency and increased sleep duration (HEPC 150 mg/kg). In EPM, the HEPC (150 mg/kg) increased the frequency of entry and the time of exploration of mice in the open arms. The antidepressant-like properties of HEPC were demonstrated by the decrease in the mice's immobility time when tested in FST and TST. The extract did not show anticonvulsant activity, in addition to not improving the memory parameters of animals (IAT) or interfering with their locomotor activity (OFT). Besides, HEPC administration decreased the MAO-A activity and increased the GABA levels in the animal's brain.
Conclusion:
HEPC induces sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic-, and antidepressant-like effects. These neuropharmacological effects of HEPC could be, at least in part, related to the modulation of the GABAergic system and/or MAO-A activity.
... Фитотерапия используется для лечения инсомнии в странах по всему миру на протяжении веков. Анксиолитическое и седативное свойства лекарственных растений были описаны в древние времена («Компендиум по фармакологии») [7,8]. ...
Therapy with medicinal herbs in the complex of therapeutic actions for insomnia occupies a special place. The main advantage of phytotherapy of sleep disorders is their high therapeutic efficacy in the absence of side effects, except in cases of individual sensitivity to individual components of the drug. Unlike synthetic drugs, drugs, which are based on vegetable raw materials, have a rapid effect on the extracellular and intracellular metabolic processes. Therefore, the therapeutic effect of medicinal plants is persistent and prolonged. The method of phytotherapy is an alternative and highly effective method of treatment of insomnia, and it should not reject, but significantly complement other methods of modern medicine.
... Bu durumun önlenmesi için, sporcunun kaliteli ve yeterli bir uyku süreci geçirmesi gerekmektedir. Sporcuların, kaliteli bir uyku süreci geçirmesi için, uyku parametreleri(uykuya dalma, uyku süresi ve kalitesi vb.) üzerine etkileri bilimsel olarak kanıtlanmış bitki çayları (lavanta, sarı kantaron, papatya vb.) tüketmesi tavsiye edilebilir (Wheatley, 2005). ...
... Another study concluded that approximately 50% of cats responded positively to Valerian (Bol et al., 2017). For maximum therapeutic efficacy, valerian may need to be administered for a period of time ranging from a few days to a few weeks in pets (Wheatley 2005;Wynn and Fougère, 2007). It has been reported that some pets respond to Valerian with hyperactivity, the opposite of the intended sedative and calming effects (Kidd, 2000;Wulff-Tilford and Tilford, 1999;Wynn and Marsden, 2003). ...
Medicinal plants, which are widely used in the treatment of many diseases in folk medicine, are alternative treatment approaches that allow to overcome the limitations of modern treatments such as high treatment costs and difficulty in accessing health services. In addition to their traditional uses, the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends the use of medicinal plants as alternative applications, especially in countries where have limited access to modern medical facilities. Limitations on the methods used in the treatment of lower urinary tract diseases such as urinary tract infection and urolithiasis in both human and veterinary practice (high treatment cost, low tolerability, development of antibacterial resistance, etc.) have brought the use of natural products of herbal origin within the scope of supportive/complementary treatment approaches. Although the mechanism of action of medicinal plants in the treatment of lower urinary tract diseases is not clearly known, studies have shown that they increase the glomerular filtration rate; and they can be complementary alternatives to conventional treatment due to their anti-lithogenic, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Patients that referred to with one or more of the symptoms of urinary system diseases such as polyuria, pollakiuria, dysuria, stranguria, anuria, hematuria, urinary incontinence constitute the case group of one of the first three systemic diseases most frequently brought to the clinic. Failure to intervene in the diseases shaped in the lower urinary system in a timely manner causes negative consequences such as the disease becoming chronic, the progression of the disease to the upper urinary system in progressive cases, and a decrease in the quality of life. Complementary products used in addition to medical treatment are sometimes used for prophylactic purposes. In this context, many supplements have been prescribed for different diseases in small animal practice in recent years. In this review, it is aimed to convey current developments about medicinal plants, which are used effectively within the scope of supportive treatment practices in lower urinary system diseases of cats and dogs, to veterinary clinical practice.
... One particular form of this method is through the use of odor-olfactory stimulation. In the existing literature, the use of olfactory stimulation using odors is vast, ranging from its use for numerous physiological and psychological states, such as sleep (Lewith et al., 2005;Wheatley, 2005;Chien et al., 2012), anxiety (Buchbauer and Jirovetz, 1994;Buchbauer, 1996), and attention (Seo et al., 2010). Due to its health benefits, olfactory stimulation is also used to treat conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders (Buchbauer and Jirovetz, 1994;Buchbauer, 1996). ...
In recent decades, it has been uncovered that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) can be influenced using non-contact neuromodulation via odor stimulation. Increasing parasympathetic-vagal activation of the ANS is integral to improving the sympathovagal balance between the sympathetic- and parasympathetic nervous systems, which is often imbalanced in several chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Although research into olfactory stimulation has been observed on the ANS, it is still lacking in the exploration of odor concentration and odor-specific effects. This is particularly the case as research has not utilized specified tools, such as the olfactometer to provide precise odor delivery. Furthermore, no research has compared the results in separate sex cohorts to investigate the role of sex or the menstrual stage on the subsequent interactions. In this study, we investigated the olfactory stimulation effects of four natural odors (mushroom, lavender, jasmine, and rose) in three concentrations (low, moderate, and high) on the ANS. To observe activity from the ANS, we used an electrocardiogram (ECG) based heart rate variability (HRV) and eye-tracker technology (pupil diameter). We found for the first time in literature that there were acute dose- and duration-specific odor effects of odors on the ANS. We also found sex and menstrual cycle effects in this interaction. Furthermore, there were stark distinctions in sympathovagal activity dependent ANS activation (HRV) in comparison to the oculomotor nerve-parasympathetic/cervical sympathetic nerves dependent ANS responses (pupil diameter). Sympathovagal activity dependent HRV showed odor, sex, and menstrual-stage interactions in both divisions of the ANS while the pupil responses only indicated increased sympathetic activation. These results shed light on the use of odor-specific stimulation to modulate the ANS activity in the context of sex and the menstrual stage. Future studies should be performed using a chronic odor delivery design to investigate the long-term effects of odors on the ANS.
Clinical trial registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, identifier [ACTRN12622000415707].
... Sacc), Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Humulus lupulus (hops), and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) as sleep aid supplements, potential hepatotoxicity, slow onset of effect, and inconsistent efficacy compared to placebo limit their widespread application, leaving synthetic melatonin as the primary sleep aid choice available on the market. 4,5 As a result, there still is an unfulfilled vacancy in the demand for a safe and efficacious dietary supplement from natural sources with clinically proven efficacy on the state of mood and sleep to be considered a natural alternative to melatonin. ...
UP165, a standardized Zea mays (corn) leaf extract, was evaluated for its effect on sleep quality and overall well-being in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/day. Participants (n = 45) (age range 19-73) consumed the supplement or placebo ∼60 minutes before bedtime daily for 4 weeks. Measurements that were evaluated were as follows: daily sleep quality, as monitored by a fitness tracker; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality and efficiency; salivary cortisol levels for stress; and Profile of Mood States (POMS) to assess general well-being. Participants who received UP165 showed a statistically significant and dose-correlated reduction in salivary cortisol (up to 36%); an increase in deep sleep time (up to 30 minutes); increased total sleep time (up to 10%); an improvement in sleep quality (up to 49%), and an enhanced POMS (36-58%). Participants in the UP165 group showed a sevenfold increase in deep sleep time and a 10-fold increase in PSQI sleep quality improvement compared to placebo. Collectively, UP165 is a safe nutritional supplement clinically proven for a 24-hour support with better quality and efficiency of sleep at night and an improved mood state and overall well-being during the day. The clinical study has been ISRCTN registered with study ID ISRCTN68282897.
... According to research, Passiflora has both edible and therapeutic properties. Anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, insomnia, cancer, and opiates withdrawal are among the therapeutic qualities of Passiflora plant parts (4,5,6,7,8,9). P. edulis Sims and P. edulis f. flavicarpa seeds have been found to be edible and high in oil in a number of tests (10). ...
Passiflora edulis is a commonly cultivated plant in the Passifloraceae family that is also known as passion fruit. Passion fruit is high in antioxidants and a good source of nutrients, particularly fibre, vitamin C, and provitamin A. According to a review of the plant's literature, the leaves, flowers, and fruits are used as medicine in many countries. The current study is concerned with the physicochemical, powder behaviour, and preliminary phytochemical screening of fruit pulp. A physicochemical analysis of fruit pulp reveals that it contains 92 percent ash, 70 percent moisture, and 30 percent dry matter. The presence of phenols, flavones, tannins, coumarins, saponins, alkaloids, starch, xanthoproteins, reducing sugar, and oil has been confirmed by powder behaviour and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the results. Dry fruit pulp was extracted in various solvents to study preliminary phytochemical screening. According to the study findings, methanol extract had a high extractive yield as well as phytochemical constituents. As a result of these findings, the passion fruit has been identified as a possible source for the development of novel drugs.
... However, 2000 mg/kg bwt CSAE, NTAE, and CMAE increased the immobility period of FST and TST, which indicates the extracts may induce depressive-like behavior at higher doses. This supports the elevated plus maze tests as well as confirms previous studies that observed depressive-like behavior in patients pre-exposed to psychoactive substances at high doses (Wheatley 2005). Furthermore, the ability of CSAE, NTAE, and CMAE to decrease immobility time but increase swimming time may indicate that the alkaloids are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) rather than noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors (NERIs) (Detke and Lucki 1995). ...
This study investigated the modulatory effects of alkaloid extracts of Cannabis sativa (CSAE), Datura stramonium (DSAE), Nicotiana tabacum (NTAE) and male Carica papaya (CMAE) on neurotransmitter, neurotrophic and neuro-inflammatory systems linked to anxiety and depression. Male Wistar rats were orally administered the alkaloid extracts in doses of 5, 50, 500, and 2000 mg/kg for 90 days. On day 91, neurobehavioural studies were evaluated, rats were sacrificed, brain hippocampus removed and tissue homogenate prepared. Biochemical, cytokine and neurotransmitter metabolisms were estimated in the hippocampus. Expressions of genes linked to anxiety and depression were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Results showed CSAE, NTAE and CMAE act as anxiolytic and antidepressant agents by depleting TNF-α, IL-1β and reactive oxygen species concentrations, and monoamine oxidase, angiotensin 1-converting enzyme and acetylcholinesterase activities while elevating IL-10 and dopamine concentrations and glutamate dehydrogenase activity at doses of 5, 50 and 500. Same doses of CSAE, NTAE and CMAE also depleted the gene expressions of GSK3β, JNK, NF-ĸB, and Nesfatin-1 while increasing expressions of CREB, BDNF, serotonin and Nrf2. However, administration of DSAE and 2000 mg/kg CSAE, NTAE and CMAE had adverse modulatory effects on the neurochemical concentrations and activities as well as the gene expressions of the evaluated neurotransmitter, neurotrophic and inflammatory systems. In conclusion, the study established the sub-chronic instrumentalization potential of CSAE, CMAE, and NTAE for anxiolytic and anti-depressive moods, though their use may be associated with dependence and addiction, which may result in more detrimental effects than any therapeutic potential they may proffer.
... Interestingly, although valerian and other herbal medication are explicitly not recommended in the European guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia, valerian was the second most applied sleep medication in our study [1]. One reason for this could be the fact that valerian, as a herbal sleep aid, is commonly considered to be very well tolerated with little to no side effects [28]. Recent surveys indicate that approximately 70% of the German population are experienced with complementary medicine, especially with herbal medication and dietary supplements [29][30][31]. ...
Study objectives
Postoperative sleep disturbances appear to be a common complication after surgery being treated with sleep-promoting medication such as valerian, but robust data and evidence of medicinal approaches are lacking.
Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all 21168 urological, gynecological and general surgical patients of the University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany, who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2020. Target parameters were the usage of sleep-promoting medication to estimate the occurrence of postoperative sleep disturbances as well as the kind of sleep medication with a special focus on herbal medication such as valerian.
Results
Drug-treated sleep disturbances occurred in 15% (n = 3083) of the patients. Valerian was the second most applied drug (n = 814, 26.4%) after classic benzodiazepines (n = 1138, 36.9%). The majority of patients got valerian as monotherapy. Age, length of stay and comorbidities were associated with demand for sleep medication in general (p < 0.001). Valerian monotherapy was more common in women (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.33-1.77, p < 0.001), elderly patients (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.29-1.75, p < 0.001) and patients with prolonged hospital stay (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.91-2.61, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Valerian plays an important role in the treatment of postoperative sleep disturbances clinically, and it appears to be a promising therapeutic approach especially in women, older and sicker patients and those with prolonged hospital stay. Further research has to clarify the efficacy of valerian postoperatively.
... Oriental herbs were sometimes used as food ingredients and sometimes as treatments for certain diseases. In addition, for promoting sleep quality, anxiolytic/anti-depressive effects, and sedation, herbal medicines have been used in northeast Asia for centuries [27]. Recent reports have found that Poria cocos has diuretic, sedation, and cardiorespiratory relief effects. ...
Sleep disorders may have various causes and can incur mental and/or physical symptoms, and affect an individual’s quality of life. In this study, we confirm that the Poria cocos extract (PCET) can improve sleep quality and structure by promoting inhibitory neurotransmission via the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABAA) receptors based on the mechanisms revealed in the experiment with superior cervical ganglion neurons. Pentobarbital-induced sleep tests were conducted in order to determine whether the PCET extract improves the sleep quality and structure in normal ICR mice. Sleep latency and duration were checked with the righting reflex. To simulate the state of awakening as well as a normal sleep state, caffeine was administered orally before the PCET diet. After oral gavage of PCET, sleep latency was decreased, and total sleep duration was increased in normal and caffeine-induced sleep disturbance state. In the ACTH-induced sleep disturbed models, administration of PCET significantly reduced the sleep latency and increased the non-REM sleep duration, which was analyzed in real-time EEG by implanting wireless electrodes in SD rats. PCET was found to improve the sleep quality under a normal sleep state through the GABAA receptor; it also promoted and improved the sleep quality and sleep structure in both the arousal activation state and stress-based sleep disturbance.
... Numerous medicinal plants including Rosmarinus officinalis (Perry et al., 1999), Salvia officinalis (Akhondzadeh et al., 2003), Ginko biloba (Dos Santos-Neto et al., 2006), and Melissa officinalis (Ahmad et al., 2018) have been investigated for their neuroprotective effects and their therapeutic effectiveness in AD. Various plants' extracts are used to make tea that has beneficial effects in calming nerves as well as rectifying sleep disorders (Wheatley, 2005). It has also been investigated that certain plant extracts exhibit a promising antioxidant effect against various pro-oxidant agents in brain homogenates (Pereira et al., 2009). ...
This study was aimed to determine the potentialities of Pimpinella stewartii leaves extracts fractions towards the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity as well as reduction of iron-induced lipid peroxidation in male Wistar rats (age – 50 days; weight – 280-300 g). Initially, animals were divided into 17 groups with 7 rats in each group. Gallic acid and quercetin were used as standards. The AChE activities of aqueous and ethanolic extract fractions of P. stewartii leaves were determined using standard protocol. Results showed that ethyl acetate extract fractions significantly (P=0.01) inhibited the enzyme in a concentration dependent manner when compared to the aqueous extract fractions and the control group. Gallic acid and quercetin depicted higher inhibition of AChE activities than ethyl acetate extract fractions. Additionally, the IC50 values for aqueous extract fractions, ethyl acetate extract fractions, gallic acid, and quercetin were estimated as 72.6±2.72, 30.41±0.56, 8.4±0.22, and 6.82±0.2 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the lipid peroxidation activities of extracts fractions were assessed by estimating thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production. Both the extracts fractions showed significant protection against lipid peroxidation but the ethyl acetate extract fractions exhibited comparatively higher reductions in TBARS levels (P=0.001). However, gallic acid and quercetin revealed higher reductions of pro-oxidants than the extracts fractions. In conclusion, findings of this study demonstrated pronounced AChE inhibitory activity and reduced lipid peroxidation trait of ethyl acetate extract fractions of P. stewartii leaves, and thus, suggested its paramount role as therapeutics against Alzheimer disease.
... Due to increased stress and sleep difficulties leading to episodes of anxiety, many people consider the consumption of medicinal plants as a possible alternative solution. Some medicinal plants have the property of being sedatives acting on the central nervous system, decreasing nervous excitement, being used as a treatment against anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness (Hadley and Petry, 2003;Wheatley, 2005;Singh and Sharma, 2020). ...
The use of medicinal plants as an alternative phytotherapeutic remedy against mild illnesses and dysfunctions is increasingly embraced by people. Among these dysfunctions, episodes of nervousness and anxiety due to lack of sleep and insomnia are becoming more and more frequent among the population. To remedy these problems, several plants with sedative activity are recommended. In particular, valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L.) is the most recommended and studied with a significant difference. This study presented a quantification of the phytomelatonin contents in valerian root and several related and recommended herb supplements against nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. The results showed the presence of phytomelatonin in all the samples analyzed. The high phytomelatonin contents in valerian root and its supplements indicated that, in addition to the known constituents of valerian root such as valerenic acid, phytomelatonin also contributed to the phytotherapeutic activity of this plant since the relaxing and sleep-inducing activity of melatonin is well documented. The recommended daily doses of valerian are analyzed according to their phytomelatonin content, and recommendations are given on the possible synergistic action of the components of valerian as a relaxant and sleep inducer in patients with these dysfunctions. It is also recommended to document the phytomelatonin contents in phytotherapeutic preparations.
... According to research, Passiflora has both edible and therapeutic properties. Anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, insomnia, cancer, and opiates withdrawal are among the therapeutic qualities of Passiflora plant parts (4,5,6,7,8,9). P. edulis Sims and P. edulis f. flavicarpa seeds have been found to be edible and high in oil in a number of tests (10). ...
Passiflora edulis is a commonly cultivated plant in the Passifloraceae family that is also known as passion fruit. Passion fruit is high in antioxidants and a good source of nutrients, particularly fibre, vitamin C, and provitamin A. According to a review of the plant's literature, the leaves, flowers, and fruits are used as medicine in many countries. The current study is concerned with the physicochemical, powder behaviour, and preliminary phytochemical screening of fruit pulp. A physicochemical analysis of fruit pulp reveals that it contains 92 percent ash, 70 percent moisture, and 30 percent dry matter. The presence of phenols, flavones, tannins, coumarins, saponins, alkaloids, starch, xanthoproteins, reducing sugar, and oil has been confirmed by powder behaviour and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the results. Dry fruit pulp was extracted in various solvents to study preliminary phytochemical screening. According to the study findings, methanol extract had a high extractive yield as well as phytochemical constituents. As a result of these findings, the passion fruit has been identified as a possible source for the development of novel drugs. Index Terms-Passiflora fruits, physicochemical study, phytochemical study, powder behaviour.
... 23 Kedi otu köklerinin önemli parçaları olan valerenik, izo-valerenik ve valepotriate asit sakinleştirici ve anksiyolitik etkilere sahiptir. 24 Bazı araştırmacılar mandibular üçüncü molar ameliyatından bir saat önce verilen 100 mg'lık kedi otunun endişeyi azalttığını gözlemlemişlerdir. Bu etkinin 5 mg'lık diazepam ile karşılaştırılabilecek düzeyde olduğu belirtilmiştir. ...
Fitoterapi, hastalıklardan korunmak ve tedaviyi desteklemek amacıyla bitkisel ekstrelerden yararlanılan bir tedavi biçimidir. Eski çağlardan beri hep merak konusu olan bitkilerin özellikle de şifa amaçlı çokça kullanıldığı bilinmektedir.
Günümüzde çeşitli hastalıkların tedavisinde kullanılan birçok medikal ilacın kökenini bitkiler oluşturmaktadır. Mevcut
ilaçların, tedavi yöntemlerinin kronik hastalıkları tedavi etmedeki yetersizliği hem hastaları hem de sağlık profesyonellerini alternatif tedavi arayışlarına yöneltmektedir. Bunlara ek olarak bitkisel ekstrelerin konvansiyonel ilaçlara göre yan
etkilerinin daha az olması, ekonomik, ulaşılabilir olmaları modern tıp tedavilerinde kullanımlarını yaygınlaştırmıştır.
Diş hekimliğinde fitoterapiden bitkisel ekstrelerin sağladığı antimikrobiyal, antiinflamatuar, sedatif ve anksiyolitik etkiler nedeniyle sıkça yararlanılmaktadır. Ağız yaraları, halitozis ve diş eti hastalıklarının tedavisinde bitkisel ektrelerin
antimikrobiyal ve antiinflamatuar etkilerinden yararlanılarak gargaralar kullanılabilir. Piyasadaki mevcut gargaralarla
karşılaştırıldığında oldukça başarılı bulunan bu gargaralar; renklenme, tat hassasiyeti, acı tat gibi yan etkilerinin de
olmaması nedeniyle bitkisel kaynaklara olan ilgiyi daha da artırmıştır. Bitkisel ekstrelerin antikaryojenik etkileri sayesinde çürük oluşumu önlenebilir, ağız ve diş sağlığı korunabilir. Kök kanal tedavisi uygulamalarında irigasyon ajanı, kanal içi medikament olarak kullanılabilen bitkisel ektreler faydalı bulunmuştur. Bunlara ek olarak fitoterapiden; cerrahi
uygulamalarda kanama durdurucu, yara iyileşmesini hızlandırıcı etkilerle yararlanılabilir.
Bu derleme kapsamında ağız ve diş sağlığı alanında kullanılan bitkiler ve bu bitkilerin dental tedavilerdeki yeri hakkında bilgi verilmesi amaçlanmıştır.
... Some studies have found that plants can help with opiate withdrawal, anxiety, insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and cancer (Akhondzadeh et al., 2001, Reginatto et al., 2006, Wheatley 2005, Ahondzadeh et al., 2001, Ichimura et al., 2006, Rowe et al., 2004, Nassiri-Asl et al., 2007.The purpose of this review is to provide information on the Passiflora genus, including morphology, active ingredients, and pharmacognostical and pharmacological properties. These plants have been linked to a variety of pharmacological effects. ...
In nature, herbs are extensively studied for their large therapeutical interests and benefits. Plants, which are a source of phytochemicals with strong antioxidant activity, have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. The Passiflora belongs to family Passifloraceae has been used in diet as well as in medicine by a number of traditional medicine practitioners. The present review describes the pharmacognostical, phytochemical, nutritional, antioxidant and bioactivity of the genus Passiflora. In Passiflora species, the number of secondary metabolites, organic acids, and volatile components have been recorded as the significant constituents. A number of Passiflora species have been used to treat a wide variety of disorders. Following the analysis of the acquired data, it was determined that the genus Passiflora has potential for further study. To determine the nutritional value and medicinally relevant phytoconstituents that will aid in the treatment of various disorders.
... In pharmacological treatment, there can be alternative medicine to sedatives which can be extracted from herbal plants as valerian from Valeriana officinalis, ginseng from Panax ginseng, kava kava from Piprer methystium, passionflower from Passiflora incarnata, hops from Humulus lupulus, and other aromatic plants like lavender, Melissa, chamomile, gelsemium, and jujuboside from Ziziphus jujuba. 20 It is observed that sleep quality was accelerated in primary insomniacs with acupuncture treatment, but there are not many clinical or controlled trail studies performed on this treatment. 3 Hormones like melatonin, serotonin, and prostaglandin-2 (PGD-2) are involved in insomnia. ...
... The more common side effects associated with BZRA hypnotics include somnolence, dizziness, headache, fatigue, ataxia, anterograde amnesia and confusing behaviours. Furthermore, many plant-based drugs with a relatively low side effect risk have been used in the treatment of insomnia (Wheatley 2005). Therefore, it is warranted to develop healthy food and new bioactive substances derived from natural sources that present with similar efficacy but fewer side effects compared to hypnotic drugs. ...
Context
Lilium davidii var. unicolour Cotton (Lilium genus, Liliaceae) is an edible plant and a herb used in China to alleviate insomnia.
Objective
To investigate the alleviating insomnia mechanism of L. davidii (LD).
Materials and methods
Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) to establish an insomnia model. Rats were divided into six groups (n = 8): Control, PCPA, Estazolam (0.5 mg/kg), LD extract in low, medium and high doses (185.22, 370.44, 740.88 mg/kg). Serum hormone levels of the HPA axis, levels of 5-HT, NE and MT, and the expression of GABAA and 5-HT1A receptors in hypothalamus were determined. Moreover, behavioural and pathological changes in the hypothalamus were evaluated.
Results
After LD administration, body weight and brain coefficient increased by 2.74% and 8.22%, respectively, and the adrenal coefficient decreased by 25%, compared with PCPA group. Elevation of the serum hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormone CRH (11.24 ± 3.16 ng/mL), ACTH (565.87 ± 103.44 pg/mL) and CORT (44.28 ± 8.73 ng/mL) in the PCPA group was reversed after LD treatment. Furthermore, abnormal excitatory behaviour [5 min movement distance (2096.34 ± 259.51 cm), central exercise time (5.28 ± 1.08 s)] of insomnia rats in the PCPA group was also relieved. LD extract increased 5-HT and MT levels, reduced NE level in the hypothalamus, and upregulated the expression of GABAA R and 5-HT1A. Moreover, LD extract may improve the pathology of neurons in the hypothalamus.
Conclusions
LD can be considered to develop health-care food or novel drugs to cope with the increasing number of insomniacs.
... Insomnia and anxiety are the main pharmaceutical activities attributed to the species in the wider application of this medicinal species. 1 In addition, it also has good bioactivities against weakness, hyperhidrosis, liver complaints, urinary trouble, fever, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. 2,3 Compared to other hypotonic plants, such as kava, 4 Z. jujuba (seeds) has a slow onset of effect, and has both a longterm effect on sleep architecture and low toxicity. As the commercial quality of the biological sources is readily affected by a number of factors, like the growing environment, processing conditions and genetic background the pharmaceutical capabilities of Z. jujuba seeds from various commercial sources vary. ...
Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa (Z. jujuba) seeds have attracted much attention within the field of medicine due to their significant effects against disturbances of the central nervous system. Secondary metabolites composition is key to the influence of the pharmaceutical and commercial qualities of this plant. In this work, the phytochemical profile of Z. jujuba seeds was analysed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The UPLC-MS/MS information identified the main secondary metabolites in Z. jujuba seeds, including flavonoid C-glycosides, triterpene acids and unsaturated fatty acids. The leading chemical identified by UPLC-MS/MS was betulinic acid, and oleic acid was the leading volatile from the GC-MS results. All the samples tested showed similar phytochemical profiles, but levels of the chemical compounds varied. Principal component analysis revealed the principal secondary metabolites that could define the differences in quality. It was confirmed that the combination of UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS was an effective technique to demonstrate the pharmaceutical quality of Z. jujuba seeds.
... On the other hand, the population and the medical community are considering food supplements and other nonpharmacological approaches in the management of mild and recent insomnia [71]. To date, however, as pointed out in various recent systematic reviews [21,72], more high-quality research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of plant extracts in sleep disorders, in particular for chronic conditions and in association with complementary and alternative medicine, such as sleep hygiene and mind-body therapies. ...
Background. Sleep complaints are common health issues in the general population. These conditions are associated with poorer physical and psychological activity, and they may have important social, economic, and personal consequences. In the last years, several food supplements with different plant extracts have been developed and are currently taken for improving sleep. Study Objectives. The aim of this study is to systematically review recent literature on oral plant extracts acting on sleep disorders distinguishing their action on the different symptoms of sleep complaints: difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, waking up too early, and quality of sleep. Methods. We searched the PubMed database up to 05/03/2020 based on data from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, noncontrolled trials, and cohort studies conducted in children and adult subjects. The search words used contained the following terms: oral food supplement and sleep disorders and the like. The most studied compounds were further analyzed with a second search using the following terms: name of the compound and sleep disorders. We selected 7 emerging compounds and 38 relevant reports. Results. Although nutraceutical natural products have been used for sleep empirically, there is a scarcity of evidence on the efficacy of each product in clinical studies. Valerian and lavender were the most frequently studied plant extracts, and their use has been associated (with conflicting results) with anxiolytic effects and improvements in quality and duration of sleep. Conclusions. Sleep aids based on plant extracts are generally safe and well tolerated by the population. More high-quality research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of food supplements containing plant extracts in sleep complaints; in particular, it would be interesting to evaluate the association between plant extracts and sleep hygiene guidelines and to identify the optimal products to be used in a specific symptom of sleep complaint, giving more appropriate tools to the medical doctor.
1. Introduction
Insomnia is defined as dissatisfaction with sleep quality or quantity in addition to at least one other symptom among difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or early morning awakening with inability to return to sleep [1]. Occasional insomnia is a very common disturb that has been reported to be experienced by about 30% of the U.S. general population [1–3]. Sleep disorders have an important societal and economic impact, with a consequent reduction in labour productivity or increased risk of accidents [4–6]. Chronic insomnia is also a risk factor for a variety of significant health problems, such as cardiovascular disease [7, 8], diabetes [9], and obesity [10], as well as bad mood and cognitive dysfunction [11–13]. Almost half of the individuals with sleep problems had never taken any steps to resolve them, and the majority of respondents had not spoken with a physician about their problems. Of those individuals who had consulted a physician, drug prescriptions had been given to approximately 50% in Western Europe and the USA [14]. The commonly used sleep aids based on benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotic drugs are often related to negative side effects such as daytime drowsiness, dependency, depression, hypnotic-withdrawal insomnia, and even excess mortality [15]. Moreover, there are limited data on long-term efficacy of hypnotic drugs [16]. Given these concerns and an increasing patient preference for nonpharmacological treatments [17], it is important to offer patients with insomnia evidence-based nonpharmacologic alternatives that may improve their sleep.
As defined in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), a dietary supplement is “a product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that bears or contains one or more dietary ingredients, including a vitamin, a mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary substance for use by humans to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake of any of the aforementioned ingredients [18].” A growing body of evidence has shown promising results for these compounds in supporting health and body functions [19]. In particular, several dietary supplements are popularly used for sleep disorders [20], also in addition to other remedies (e.g., sleep hygiene and mind-body therapies) [21]. Moreover, no golden standard therapy is recommended to treat mild sleep disorders related to specific sleep stages (starting, maintaining, and ending sleep) [22, 23].
Our aim in this study was to systematically review recent literature on plant extracts and nutraceuticals administered orally and acting on sleep-related disorders. In particular, we differentiated the interventions and the outcomes of the studies based on the different sleep disorders (difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, quality and quantity of sleep, and waking up too early) and reviewed the available clinical data of the 7 most studied natural products: valerian, lavender, chamomile, hop, St. John’s wort, hawthorn, and rosemary.
2. Materials and Methods
A literature search was performed using a primary medical search engine the PubMed database considering all articles published up to 05/03/2020; the registered review protocol can be found at: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPEROFILES/126991_PROTOCOL_20190301.pdf. The review was registered on PROSPERO (international prospective register of systematic reviews in https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/), registration number CRD42019126991. The inclusion criteria were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, noncontrolled trials, and cohort studies. We used the following search terms to search the PubMed register: (Oral food supplement) OR (Oral nutraceutical) OR (Oral natural products) AND (Sleep disorders) OR (Insomnia) AND “humans” [Filter] AND “English”[Filter]. The most studied compounds were singled out and further analyzed with a second search using the terms: (name of the compound) AND (Sleep disorders) OR (Insomnia) AND “humans”[Filter] AND “English”[Filter]. Only articles written in English and only studies conducted on humans were selected for this review. Additionally, the same research criteria were applied also for the Spanish language but no additional references were found. We contacted the study authors to retrieve the full article where only the abstract was available. We selected 7 emerging compounds and 35 relevant reports, excluding duplicates, nonrelevant articles, reviews, and works with no full article available (Figure 1). Information was extracted from each included trial in view of: (1) type of food supplement for sleep disorders (herbal component, dose, length of the treatment, and additional substances) and (2) clinical endpoints considering the different stages of sleep and sleep problems: sleep latency, sleep maintenance, quality of sleep, and quantity of sleep. Finally, the risk of bias of individual studies was considered both at study or outcome level, and the Jadad scale [24] for quality rating was used to assess the quality of works. Parameters considered were randomization, blinding, withdrawals, sample size, quality of data reported, and statistical analysis. Publication bias and selective reporting within studies are likely to be affecting the selected literature for this review.
... Other examples of sleep-promoting foods include herbal products and certain fruits. The use of herbal products such as chamomile tea to improve sleep is common (Sánchez-Ortuño et al., 2009), even if robust scientific evidence supporting this is, in many cases, nonexistent, as reviewed recently (Meolie et al., 2005;Wheatley, 2005). In addition, there are recent reports indicating that certain fruits such as tart cherries (Pigeon et al., 2010;Garrido et al., 2010) or kiwifruits (Lin et al., 2011) promote sleep. ...
Time use models have been used to estimate the value of leisure - one of the components of the value of travel time savings - usually accepting that sleep duration is an exogenous variable. In this paper, we depart from this belief by considering time asleep as an endogenous decision framed by many elements well documented in the literature which we review using a three-discipline perspective: Social behavior sciences, Medical and health sciences, and Economics. Then we propose a microeconomic model that considers these contributions by capturing four effects: alertness (perception), time use trade-off, performance (productivity) and a series of technical relations linking sleep with other activities and goods consumption. The analytical properties are explored showing that there is a total value of sleep time with different components, that equals the value of leisure; that the value of time assigned to any other activity and the value of leisure increase with sleep time if the person sleeps less than medically recommended; and that the way in which sleep time acts on the value of travel time savings varies according to specific behavioral parameters related with the perception of sleep, work and leisure. A system to estimate behavioral and technical parameters econometrically is proposed.
... In our review of the literature on EOs, many of these studies compare the effectiveness of EOs to existing treatments, placebos, no treatment, or in combination with existing treatments on varying outcome variables [e.g., hormone levels, brain activation, subjective evaluations of stress, chemical reactions with other substances; [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The purported benefits of EOs range from treating pain [in combination with conventional treatments ; 22], to memory and mood enhancement [e.g., promoting a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 calmness, alertness, contentment; 23,24], to insomnia relief [25,26]. Although the vast majority of research purports the benefits of EOs, there is some research to suggest that certain oils decrease working memory performance and reaction time [27]. ...
Essential oil (EO) use is growing in popularity and ostensibly used for treating or preventing various ailments or conditions. Despite the increase in use, there is a paucity of research on psychosocial predictors of EO use and their perceived effectiveness. However, several psychosocial characteristics are associated with health-promoting behavior and a tendency to believe in homeopathic cures. In the current study, we examined a variety of individual differences in the use and perceived effectiveness of essential oils in a sample of 1,202 participants (Mage = 31.33, SD = 13.77; 61.7% women, 75.6% Caucasian). We found that receptivity to pseudo-profound fabricated statements and religiosity were the most consistent predictors of greater use of, perceived effectiveness of, and a willingness to spend more money on EOs.
... There are several medicinal plants known for their sedative properties, mostly in preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Kava-kava, Valerian, aromatherapy (lavender, chamomile, and Ylang-Ylang), Melissa, and Passionflower are some herbal drugs that have been suggested as hypnotics (Wheatley, 2005). herbal medicine. ...
The purpose of the present double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study was to investigate the effects of Passionflower on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder. A total number 110 adult participants (mean age = 40.47 ± 11.68, Female = 53.6%) met the inclusion criteria of insomnia disorder according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). After randomization, patients received either the Passionflower extract or the placebo for 2 weeks. Patients underwent an overnight polysomnography and completed sleep diaries, Insomnia Severity Index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Within group comparisons were analyzed with paired t-tests or Wilcoxon's signed rank tests, and between-group comparisons were analyzed with independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U Tests, as appropriate. Total sleep time (TST) was significantly increased in the Passionflower group compared with placebo (Passionflower vs placebo, 23.05 ± 54.26 vs -0.16 ± 53.12; P = 0.049). Sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset (WASO) significantly improved after 2 weeks in the Passionflower group but there was no difference compared with the placebo group. The current study demonstrated the positive effects of Passionflower on objective sleep parameters including TST on polysomnography in adults with insomnia disorder. Further study is needed to investigate the clinical efficacy of Passionflower on insomnia.
... They are employed in the treatment of e.g. anxiety, sleep disturbance, nervousness and distress (6,7). Herbal remedies derived from plants and plant extracts, like leaves, flowers, roots, bark, and berries are available as individual herbal supplements, as well as herbal compounds that incorporate many herbs into formulations. ...
... Additionally, MO is a cultured lemon-scented herb, and it is used in common Chinese medicine as a tea for its sedation and anti-spasm impacts (3,4). Due to its unique flavor, the food manufacturing also uses this plant to taste various foods (5). Also, MO is known for its antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory therapeutic properties (6)(7)(8). ...
Introduction: Melissa officinalis (MO) or lemon balm is traditionally used as a sedative and anti-spasm herbal medicine. There is also evidence that this plant has effects on learning and memory. This study examined the effect of a hydro-alcoholic extract of MO on passive avoidance learning (PAL) and memory in male rats. Methods: A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (200 to 220 g; n = 10 per group); three dose groups (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the hydro-alcoholic extract of MO) and vehicle control (saline) group. Saline or doses of extract were administered daily for 14 days by oral gavage. The rats were trained to enter the shuttle box to record their behavior in the PAL task. A retrieval test was performed 24 hours following training. Results: A significant difference was seen in performance among MO groups and the control. MO administered animals had a decreased number of acquisition trials (P< 0.05). In the retention task, MO administered animals had an increased step-through latency (SLT) (P< 0.01), and a decreased latency in the dark compartment (P< 0.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results of the study show that MO can improve learning and memory in the PAL task. Further investigation is needed to enhance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of the MO extract and its effects on learning and memory.
Ancient people sought out drugs in nature to prevent, cure, and treat their diseases, including mental illnesses. Plants were their primary source for meeting their healthcare needs. In Algeria, folk medicine remains a fundamental part of the local intangible knowledge. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive ethnomedicinal investigation and documentation of medicinal plants and the different plant formulations traditionally used in Algeria for the treatment of pain, psychiatric, and neurological disorders. It also intends to improve the current knowledge of Algerian folk medicine. Several scientific databases were used to accomplish this work. Based on this investigation, we identified 82 plant species belonging to 69 genera and spanning 38 distinct botanical families used as remedies to treat various psychological and neurological conditions. Their traditional uses and methods of preparation, along with their phytochemical composition, main bioactive constituents, and toxicity were noted. Therefore, this review provides a new resource of information on Algerian medicinal plants used in the treatment and management of neurological and psychological diseases, which can be useful not only for the documentation and conservation of traditional knowledge, but also for conducting future phytochemical and pharmacological studies.
Aim
This study aimed to clarify the safety of Valeriana fauriei root (VF) ethanol extract through in vivo and clinical trials.
Methods
Mice were divided into VF and control groups. They were given VF (4 g VF/kg/day) or the vehicle mixed in the powdered food for four weeks. Food consumption and body weight changes were evaluated, and blood biochemistry and organ weights were assessed on the last day. In addition, an open‐label study was conducted on healthy subjects who took VF capsules (10 g VF/body/day) for four weeks and were asked to report any changes in their physical condition. Physical, hematologic, blood biochemical examination and urinalysis were performed before, two weeks, and four weeks into the study.
Results
Food consumption and weight gain in mice did not differ between the VF and control groups, except for experimental error, and there were no particular differences in the weights of the brain, lung, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney. In mice, VF administration resulted in small but significant decreases in albumin in males and females, and total cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in females only. These levels were unchanged, but daytime sleepiness was observed in humans.
Conclusion
Since there was little change in the experimental values at continuous high doses of VF at 10 g/day, it can be concluded that approximately one‐fifth of this dose (2 g VF/day) is less harmful. However, daytime sleepiness should be considered.
Aim
This clinical trial aimed to clarify the sleep‐ameliorating effects of capsules containing Valeriana fauriei root (VF) extract and their adverse effects.
Methods
The trial was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over comparative clinical trial involving participants with an Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) of 6 or higher, selected by prescreening questionnaires. After randomization, the participants took VF (2 g as VF/day) or placebo capsules for two weeks and were asked to complete the Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) sleep questionnaire daily to assess their sleep status and any changes in their physical condition. On the last day of each term, the participants reported their sleep improvement experience.
Results
No significant differences were found between the VF and placebo groups on the OSA sleep questionnaire. Significantly, more participants in the VF‐treated group experienced improvements in sleep onset and quality than those in the placebo group. The sleep onset improved particularly in those with early awakening, whereas the sleep quality particularly improved in those with midnight awakening. Although a few participants experienced physical, gastrointestinal and psychological changes when taking VF capsules, there was no significant difference from the placebo group, and no serious adverse events occurred.
Conclusion
We clinically determined that VF, a folk medicine, improves sleep onset and sleep quality in people with suspected insomnia without serious adverse events at the dosage of 2 g VF/day.
Ethnopharmacological relevance:
Shrub kava has long been grown and utilized, primarily in the South Pacific region, for ceremonial, religious, and social occasions. It has been used as a pain reliever and muscle relaxant in medicinal practices from eighteenth century. Interestingly, relatively low incidence of lung cancer may attribute to the high consumption of kava products in this region.
Aim of the study:
Kava extracts were used to produce the kava chalcones Flavokawain A, B and C, which have a variety of bioactivities. In the present study, we show that Flavokawain A has positive effects on endometriosis.
Materials and methods:
The endometriosis rat model was surgically induced by the autologous transplantation of endometrial tissue. Rats were evaluated for clinical ratings and lesion volume following a 6-week Flavokawain A therapy. Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were taken and ELISA assay was used to measure the cytokines and chemokines levels. Transcriptional and expression levels of Akt, PI3K, NF-kB, iNOS, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blotting and RT-qPCR. Implanted tissue sections of the rats were also analyzed by immunofluorescent and histopathological staining.
Results:
Lesion volumes and adhesion scores were successfully decreased. Blood and peritoneal fluid levels of associated cytokines and chemokines were markedly down-regulated. Besides, Flavokawain A also mediated cell apoptosis of endometrial implants. Additionally, VEGF expression was reduced, which inhibited the angiogenesis process. As for the expression of Akt, p-Akt, PI3K, p-PI3K, and NF-B in endometriosis lesions, Flavokawain A significantly reduced them.
Conclusion:
Flavokawian A has beneficial effects on the surgically induced endometriosis rat model, by reducing inflammation, promoting apoptosis, and decreasing angiogenesis. Our findings suggest that these effects may be mediated through the regulation of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways.
Purpose
Hemp-based food products and supplements have gained popularity within recent years in Europe. Apart from the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, cannabidiol, these products may also contain Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which can be of concern for safety and regulatory compliance. In the European Union, the currently accepted limit for THC in hemp is 0.3%. As many hemp-based products have been withdrawn from the German market within recent months/years, this study aims to investigate the current safety limit and potential concerns based on available analytical data.
Design/methodology/approach
Therefore, a publicly accessible, analytical data set from the German food authority was analysed and complemented by literature data and expert opinions regarding THC in food products. Furthermore, critical exposures have been calculated based on different product types and limits.
Findings
A safety-based limit of 11.9 µg/kg/day is proposed. Importantly, the authors’ examination of hemp seed oils, one of the most common food products, showed that 4 of the 102 samples were identified as having a low-to-moderate risk for inducing impairment – confirming the general need for regulation. For hemp leaf tea and common supplements, calculated exposures to THC were not considered critical. This has been also reflected by the absence of intoxication reports in the scientific literature.
Originality/value
Whilst for most hemp-derived foods safety concerns for the general public are considered low, this may not be the case for some products, suggesting the general need for regulatory compliance. Nevertheless, a more realistic safety limit should be applied.
Sleep disorder is considered as a common problem throughout the world. Aromatherapy is a kind of treatment performed by using essential oils of plants for improving disease. There is much evidence in the literature, including Iranian traditional medicine, which confirms its positive effects on improving sleep disorder. Related keywords searched some Iranian traditional medicine texts and some new valid databases. In Iranian traditional medicine, aromatherapy is one of the methods of treatment for improving sleep disorders and its done by the temperamental approach. Aroma temperament, brain mal-temperament and specific performance of aroma are three factors for selection of the plants. Fourteen aromatic plants are introduced that can be effective by hypnotic in insomnia and reducing sleep in oversleeping. Aromatherapy is an effective method to improve sleep disorders, and it can be used through various plants in the more specified way with fewer side effects using temperamental approach. [GMJ.2017;6(1):3-11]
Clinical studies have shown that insomnia and anxiety are usually accompanied by cardiovascular dysfunction. In traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra chinensis (SC) and wine processed Schisandra chinensis (WSC) are mainly used for the treatment of dysphoria, palpitation and insomnia. However, little attention was paid to its mechanism. In this study, we monitored the effect of SC and WSC on the nervous system and cardiovascular system of free-moving rats in the real-time. Our results show that SC and WSC can alleviate cardiovascular dysfunction while promoting sleep, and we further explored their potential mechanisms. HPLC-QTOF-MS was used for the quality control of chemical components in SC and WSC. Data sciences international (DSI) physiological telemetry system was applied to collect the electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and other parameters of free-moving rats to understand the effects of long-term intake of SC and WSC on rats. The content of Cortisol (CORT), neurotransmitters and amino acids in rat pituitary and hypothalamus were analyzed by UPLC-MS to determine the activity of HPA axis. The expression of melatonin receptor MT1 was analyzed by immunofluorescence technique. Our results suggested that SC and WSC may play the role of promoting sleep by increasing the expression level of melatonin receptor MT1 in hypothalamus, and modulate the activity of HPA axis by regulating the levels of the related neurotransmitters and amino acid, so as to improve the abnormal cardiovascular system of rats. This study may provide theoretical support for explicating the advantages of SC and other phytomedicines in the treatment of insomnia.
The design of a new type of flavouring enhancer is suggested, which ensures the direct production of aromatic components, including essential oils, from salted plant materials. The work of the flavouring enhancer is based on induction heating of a mixture containing salted raw materials and crushed metal (for example, dissected foil) due to vortical currents. This approach dramatically simplifies the procurement of plant materials, up to the possibility of using agricultural waste for these purposes. The approach is one of the practical implementations of the concept aimed at freeing farms from the dictates of large purchasing and trading networks, providing for the creation of the most simplified schemes for processing and marketing agricultural products. The flavouring enhancer is controlled via a mobile app installed on a smartphone. In the future, it allows ensuring the automation of prophylactic measures carried out using aromatherapy means. This also can provide very visible support to small farms.
Conventional treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) involves a pharmacologic regimen that supplements intensive physical and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Pharmacotherapies available for CRPS are at times insufficient for pain control or carry with them intolerable side effects. Frequently, patients and practitioners then turn to adjuvant therapies to facilitate treatment and symptom relief and reduce prescription pain medication use. This chapter offers an overview of adjuvant treatments, their proposed mechanisms of action, and a review of existing literature. Overall, there was a paucity of literature investigating the use of nonconventional therapies for CRPS, suggesting the need for further evidence-based research in this area.
Uykunun Egzersiz Performansı Üzerine Etkisi: Uyku, Beslenme ve Toparlanma İlişkisi
Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı, uykunun egzersiz performansı üzerindeki atletik, fizyolojik ve bilişsel etkileri ile uyku kalitesinin artmasına yardımcı olabilecek beslenme önerilerini incelemektir.
Yöntem: Araştırma, literatür taraması ve içerik analiz yöntemi kullanılarak yapılan derleme türü bir çalışmadır. Çalışmaya ait literatür verileri konuya ışık tutabilecek akademik yayınlar ve nitelikli kitaplardan elde edilmiştir. Bu doğrultuda PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect veritabanlarında ‘Sleep’, ‘Sleep and Performance’, ‘the importance of sleep’ ve ‘Uyku ve Egzersiz’ anahtar kelimeleri ile tarama yapılarak yayınlanan araştırmalar çalışmanın amacına uygun şekilde incelenmiş ve derlenmiştir.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen literatür veriler, uykunun en temel fizyolojik ihtiyacın çok ötesinde, sporcuların antrenman performansı, toparlanma, bilişsel performans ve dengeli ruh hali gibi en önemli noktalar için kritik bir role sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Yapılan çalışmalar sporcular için 6-8 saat uykunun yeterli olabileceğini, bir gecelik uyku eksikliğinin performans üzerine direkt olumsuz etkisinin olmayacağını belirtmektedir. Triptofan yönünden zengin besinlerin uyku kalitesini arttırdığı, alkol ve kafein gibi uyarıcıların uyku üzerine olumsuz etkilerinin olabileceği görülmektedir.
Sonuç: Sonuç olarak sporcular için antrenman harici performans gelişimini destekleyen en önemli unsurlardan biri uyku olmaktadır. Hem fiziksel hem de ruhsal etkileri olan uyku, beslenme ve toparlanma ile de doğrudan ilişkisi olması sebebiyle yaşam boyu dikkat edilmesi gereken çok önemli bir fizyolojik ihtiyaçtır.
Effect of Sleep on Exercise Performance: The Relationship Between Sleep, Nutrition and Recovery
Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the athletic, physiological and cognitive effects of sleep on exercise performance and nutritional recommendations that can help increase sleep quality.
Method: The research is a compilation style study using the literature review and content analysis method. The literature data of the study were obtained from academic publications and qualified books that can shed light on the subject. In this respect, the researches published by scanning the PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect databases with the keywords 'Sleep', 'Sleep and Performance', 'the importance of sleep' and 'Sleep and Exercise' were examined and compiled in accordance with the purpose of the study.
Results: The literature data included in the study shows that sleep has a critical role in the most important aspects of athletes such as training performance, recovery, cognitive performance and balanced mood, far beyond the most basic physiological needs. Studies indicate that 6-8 hours of sleep may be sufficient for athletes, and lack of sleep for one night will not have a direct negative effect on performance. It is observed that foods rich in tryptophan increase sleep quality, and stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine may have negative effects on sleep.
Conclusion: As a result, sleep is one of the most important factors supporting non-training performance development for athletes. It is a very important physiological need that should be considered throughout life, as it is directly related to sleep, nutrition and recovery, which have both physical and mental effects.
Context:
There is little evidence of the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage in palliative care despite its popularity.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 30-minute single session of aromatherapy massage at night-time on quality of sleep and fatigue in palliative care.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial from January 2018 to March 2019. After being stratified by sex, participants were randomly assigned to an aromatherapy massage group and a control group. The effects of aromatherapy massage were evaluated on the massage day and the next day using the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) and the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI).
Results:
Of the 74 participants, data of 27 participants in the treatment group and 30 in the control group were analyzed. ANCOVA indicated that quality of sleep and fatigue did not improve owing to the aromatherapy massage, although usual fatigue in preceding 24 hours and enjoyment of life subscales of the BFI showed signs of contribution (p = 0.07 and p = 0.09, respectively). Post hoc analyses indicated that higher age and performance status were factors with moderate correlation with better sleep (p = 0.03, r = 0.45, and p = 0.03, r = 0.40, respectively), and that older patients tended to experience greater improvement in fatigue (p = 0.02, r = -0.47).
Conclusion:
A single aromatherapy massage session is no more effective than not having a massage in improving sleep quality in palliative care settings. However, older patients and those in poor health conditions may benefit from aromatherapy massage.
Elderly gradually experience various changes in their aspects of life. Changes that occur during this periodmaydisturb the stability of physiological and psychological processes which result in the sleep quality disturbance. It is necessary to prevent it by providing combination therapy to them. Objective: To determine the effect of thecombination therapy on the quality of sleep among elderly. Research Methods: this research used quasi-experimental design with non-equivalent control group design. We involved 28 elderly who had poor sleep quality. The samples were chosen by using purposive sampling method. We gave progressive muscle relaxation and murottal therapy to the intervention group, whilst we only gave progressive muscle relaxation therapy to the control group. The results indicated that 71.4% of elderly experienced sleep quality improvement after being treated bycombinationtherapy, while only 28.6% of the elderly experienced sleep quality improvement in the control group. The Mann Whitney Test results showed the number of p(0.000) <α(0.05) which means there was a difference in the quality of sleep between elderly in the intervention group and the control group.
Objectives:
Currently available pharmaceutical therapies for sleep disorders have significant side effects and dependence potential, thus necessitating the need for alternative treatment approaches. This study investigated the effect of a combination of melatonin, vitamin B6 and medicinal plants in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep disorders.
Design and setting:
This was a 4-week, single-center, single-arm, open-label study conducted in 40 participants with mild-to-moderate insomnia, in Poland.
Intervention:
Participants received Novanuit® Triple Action (melatonin, vitamin B6, California poppy extract, passionflower extract, and lemon balm extract) capsules per day for two weeks.
Outcomes:
Using a daily electronic sleep diary, information was collected on sleep quality (assessed on a 0-10 scale), total sleep duration, sleep onset latency, sleep-related daytime impairment, and safety of the study medication.
Results:
There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in sleep quality by the end of the 2-week treatment period, with mean sleep quality score increasing by 1.9 points from pre-treatment (5.4 points) to post-treatment (7.3 points). Similarly, statistically significant improvements were observed following treatment completion in sleep onset latency, total sleep duration, and sleep-related daytime parameters (p < 0.01 for all outcomes). Administration of the combination of melatonin, vitamin B6, and medicinal plants was associated with high compliance (39/40; 97.5%). No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
This pilot study suggests that the combination of melatonin, vitamin B6, and medicinal plants may be beneficial in mild-to-moderate insomnia.
Purpose:
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an herbal drug (valerian) to control anxiety during mandibular third molar extraction compared with a reference benzodiazepine drug commonly used in dental procedures (midazolam).
Materials and methods:
Twenty anxious patients with an indication for bilateral extraction of mandibular third molars were selected. The patients received capsules containing valerian 100 mg or midazolam 15 mg orally 60 minutes before the procedures in a randomized, split-mouth, crossover design. Changes in the physiological parameters (eg, oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate) were assessed at specific times during surgery, and the patients completed a questionnaire postoperatively. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and paired t tests, with a significance level of 5%.
Results:
No statistically significant differences in oxygen saturation were observed, regardless of the drug used. However, the other physiological parameters were significantly lower when the patients had taken midazolam compared with valerian. Somnolence was the most common side effect reported with both drugs.
Conclusions:
Although midazolam was more effective in reducing the physiological parameters studied, valerian seemed to provide the comfort and relaxation required, with no sedation and less somnolence than midazolam, during third molar extraction. Further studies are necessary before valerian can be clinically recommended.
The presence of benzodiazepine-like substances in dried flower heads of Matricaria chamomilla was investigated. After extraction and HPLC purification we tested several fractions for their ability to displace in vitro [3H]Flunitrazepam bound to its receptors in rat cerebellar membranes, [3H]Muscimol linked to GABA receptors in rat cortical membrane preparations and [3H]RO 5-4864 specifically bound to the so-called 'peripheral' benzodiazepine binding sites present in membrane preparations from rat adrenal glands. Few of these fractions displaced both central and peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites and GABA receptors, too. As regards this last activity, by further HPLC analysis we identified GABA as the main agent responsible for the displacing effect. Some of the extracted fractions, not containing GABA, were intracerebronventricularly injected in rats and produced a statistically significant reduction of the locomotor activity. Ongoing experiment by mass spectrometric technique will help in the identification of the benzodiazepine-like compounds present in the extract of Matricaria chamomilla responsible for its sedative effect.
Passiflora species are used in folk medicine as hypnotic and sedative treatments. In this study the hypnotic-sedative effects and toxicity of Passiflora edulis were assessed in rats and mice and in healthy volunteers. It was verified that some samples of Passiflora edulis had a nonspecific central nervous system depressant effect. Furthermore, hepatobiliary and pancreatic toxicity to animals and humans were detected.
The sedative properties of the essential oil of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) and of its main constituents--linalool and linalyl acetate--were investigated in mice followed up in a series of experimental procedures. The significant decrease in the motility of female and male laboratory animals under standardized experimental conditions is found to be closely dependent on the exposure time to the drugs. Nevertheless after an injection of caffeine into mice a hyperactivity was observed which was reduced to nearly a normal motility only by inhalation of these fragrance drugs. In particular the correlation of the motility of the animals to linalool in serum is experimentally proven, thus furnishing evidence of the aromatherapeutical use of herbal pillows employed in folk medicine since ancient times in order to facilitate falling asleep or to minimize stressful situations of man.
More recent results of scientific investigations demand the revision of some traditional doctrines concerning Passiflorae herba from Passiflora incarnata as plant source. The harman-alkaloids definitively cannot be looked at as potential active constituents, as these compounds can not be detected in the commercial plant material (detection limit 0.1 ppm). The composition of the flavonoids is relatively homogeneous in quality, while fingerprint analysis reveals considerable differences. Exclusively the C-glycosylflavones are of pharmaceutical significance. Increased possibilities of analysis by means of RP-HPLC are presented and discussed in this review. The following compounds are relevant for the drug: vicenin-2, isoorientin-2''-O-glucoside, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, isoorientin, isovitexin-2''-O-glucoside, isovitexin, swertisin. Orientin and vitexin in general are present in very low concentrations. Saponarin, which is mentioned in the literature is missing and has been probably erroneously identified by paper chromatography instead of isovitexin-2''-O-glucoside. Extracts from passiflora herb are stable in dried condition, in aqueous solution some transformations of the C-glycosylflavones have been observed. The complete analysis of an aqueous extract did not result in the identification of new potential effective constituents.
Sedative properties of V. officinalis have been known for 2000 years. In addition to this indication, it is also used as an antispasmodic. The activity of valerian on the central nervous system has been demonstrated by pharmacological tests. Modern biochemical receptor assays have shown the interaction of total extracts and some purified fractions of V. officinalis with the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Clinical studies substantiate the use of valerian preparations for sleep disorders and stress situations.
In a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study two groups of 29 patients each with anxiety syndromes not caused by mental disorders were treated for four weeks with three daily doses of 100 mg of Kava extract WS 1490 (Laitan®) from Piper methysticum rhizoma or a placebo preparation. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (main outcome variable), the Adjectives Check List and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (secondary target variables) after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment. The HAMA overall score of anxiety symptomatology revealed a significant reduction in the drug group compared with the placebo group after one week of treatment. The difference between the two groups of patients increased during the course of the study. The results of the secondary target variables were in agreement with the HAMA score and demonstrated the efficacy of WS 1490 in patients with anxiety disorders. No adverse reactions caused by the medication were noted during the four weeks WS 1490 was administered.
The herbal extract kava-kava was used for treating 24 patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder for a period of 4 weeks. Two dose schedules were compared: 120 mg once daily and 45 mg three times daily in a randomized-order, cross-over open trial. There were highly significant reductions in their mean Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores (P < 0.001), preferences for three times daily dosages, with irrespective of dose schedule, treatment order or sex of the patients. The impact of side-effects was relatively low and only one patient had to omit treatment on a three times daily dosage because of nausea. No side-effects were experienced by nine patients (37%) on three times daily dosages and by five patients (22%) on once daily dosages, but daytime drowsiness occurred in eight patients (33%) on three times daily dosages and two patients (9%) on once daily dosages. There were 13 patient preferences for once daily dosages and eight patient no preferences in the remaining two cases. It was considered that the trial had shown kavakava to be effective in both dose schedules, thus justifying further research with double-blind controlled studies in order to verify this.
Three cases of zopiclone abuse in South Wales are described. Two involve oral use with alcohol, and one of intravenous use. It appears that zopiclone has become widely available ‘on the street’ in parts of S. Wales where they are called ‘zim-zims’. The implications are discussed.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, P. Miller) is used in aromatherapy as a holistic relaxant and is said to have carminative, antiflatulence and anticolic properties. Its sedative nature, on inhalation, has been shown both in animals and man. Lavender has a spasmolytic activity on guineapig ileum and rat uterus in vitro and it also decreases the tone in the skeletal muscle preparation of the phrenic nerve–diaphragm of rats. As the mechanism of action has not been studied previously, the spasmolytic activity was studied in vitro using a guinea-pig ileum smooth muscle preparation. The mechanism of action was postsynaptic and not atropine-like. The spasmolytic effect of lavender oil was most likely to be mediated through cAMP, and not through cGMP. The mode of action of linalool, one of lavender's major components, reflected that of the whole oil. The mode of action of lavender oil resembled that of geranium and peppermint oils. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Since the first significant contact with Europeans in the 18th century, the Oceanic plant, Piper methysticum Forst. (Piperaceae) and the beverage prepared from it, both of which are called kava, have become familiar to much of the outside world through both the written and visual media. The ceremonial preparation and consumption of the beverage are probably its most conspicuous and spectacular features. Kava continues to occupy a central place in everyday life in the islands concerned, although its role has been somewhat diminished by time and outside influences. Despite the large body of literature on kava--about 800 entries are listed in a recent bibliography by Singh (1986)--there has been no comprehensive review on the subject. Earlier contributions by Keller and Klohs (1963) and Shulgin (1973) were selective in treatment and dealt primarily with chemical and pharmacological aspects. The monograph by Steinmetz (1960) remains a standard reference but understandably some of the information in it has become dated. The attention of the reader is also drawn to two excellent additions to the recent kava literature, by Lebot and Cabalion (1988) and Brunton (1989), which are, although somewhat restricted in focus, are very significant contributions to the subject. The present review paper provides an updated and a multidisciplinary overview of the subject. It was prepared on the basis of the author's personal experience--he is a native of Fiji and lived in that country for about 30 years--as well as the relevant literature listed in the Singh (1986) bibliography and some more recent publications.
The duration of action of hypnosedative drugs is mainly determined by their pharmacokinetic properties. The ideal drug should induce sleep within 30 min and maintain a normal pattern of sleep for 6 to 8h, with little or no residual effects the next morning. Clinically, 4 types of insomnia can be distinguished: prolonged latency, 1 to 2 long periods of wakefulness, frequent short awakenings and early morning awakening. An ultra-short-acting drug (2 to 3h), such as triazolam, is useful for prolonged latency. Temazepam, lormetazepam and loprazolam provide more prolonged effects (8 to 10h). These benzodiazepines are not free of daytime adverse effects, particularly drowsiness, dependency potential, rebound insomnia and habituation to the drug effect. Zopiclone and zolpidem are new nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics that are as effective as benzodiazepines but without the problems associated with the latter. They produce a more normal electroencephalogram sleep pattern and so would seem to approach to the ideal hypnosedative for the future. However only further clinical trials and widespread use in practice will determine whether they will live up to this potential.
Within the framework of a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study, two groups each containing 20 patients with climacteric-related symptomatology were treated for a period of 8 weeks with kava WS 1490 extract 3 X 100 mg/day or a placebo preparation. The target variable - the HAMA overall score of anxiety symptomatology - revealed a significant difference in the drug-receiving group vis-à-vis the placebo group already after only 1 week of treatment. The course of such further parameters as depressive mood (DSI), subjective well-being (patient diary), severity of the disease (CGI), and the climacteric symptomatology (Kuppermann Index and Schneider scale) over the overall period of treatment demonstrate a high level of efficacy of kava extract WS 1490 in neurovegetative and psychosomatic dysfunctions in the climacteric, associated with very good tolerance of the preparation.
The Stress Profile consists of a number of questionnaires which have been developed to assess the severity of stress in nine areas of life: social habits, social relationships, life events, sexual problems, sleep, psychiatric symptoms, old age, menstrual stresses, and 'stress and the heart'. The questionnaires have been validated for inter-rater reliability and against the Hamilton anxiety and depression rating scales. Using the Profile, the inter-relationships between different stress areas can be assessed, appropriate treatments advised, and the response to treatment in relation to different components evaluated.
Mice Swiss are orally given essential oil of lavander diluted at 1/60 in olive oil. Sedative effects are observed with some tests (hole board test, four plates test, plus-maze test, potentiation of barbiturate sleeping time). A significant interaction exists with pentobarbital: the sleeping time is increased and the asleeping time shortened.
Valerian root contains two substances of special pharmacological interest--valepotriates and sesquiterpenes. The former, which has been used for standardization of the drug, is cytotoxic. The latter has no such effect. Both have sedative effects. A double blind test has been carried out on a preparation (VALERINA NATT) containing primarily sesquiterpenes. When compared with placebo it showed a good and significant effect on poor sleep (p less than 0.001). Forty-four percent reported perfect sleep and 89% reported improved sleep from the preparation. No side effects were observed.
A fluid extract of Passiflora incarnata L. was studied for its neuropharmacological properties. This extract, orally and intraperitoneally administered to rats, raised the nociceptive threshold in the tail-flick and hot-plate tests, but not in the vocalization test. On intraperitoneal injection, the extract significantly prolonged sleeping time, protected animals from the convulsive effect of pentylenetetrazole, and affected locomotor activity. The fluid extract was partitioned by solvents and chromatography and at least two products, one lipophilic (A) and one hydrophilic (B), were found to be active. They could not be ascribed to either alkaloids or the flavonoid structures present in the extract.
Twelve young (17–21 yrs) male Navy recruits volunteered for a sleep loss study. After 4 baseline days, the Ss were completely deprived of sleep for 2 days and nights. Next followed an experimental phase of 2 days and nights after which all Ss received 2 nights of uninterrupted sleep.
During the experimental phase, the 4 Ss in the REM-deprived group were aroused whenever they showed signs of REM sleep. The 4 Ss of the stage 4-deprived group were aroused whenever they showed signs of entering stage 4 sleep, and the 4 Ss of the Control group had uninterrupted sleep.
All tests (speed and accuracy of addition, speed and accuracy of self-paced vigilance, errors of omission in experimenter paced vigilance, immediate recall of word lists, and mood) showed significant impairment after the first night of complete sleep loss. But during the experimental (sleep-stage-deprivation) and recovery phases, all three groups showed equal rates of recovery.
Depriving the S of stage REM or stage 4 during recovery sleep does not affect the recuperation rate. Frequent arousals (50–100 per night) also do not impair recovery. The amount of sleep is probably more important than the kind of sleep.
The hemodynamic effects of chamomile tea in patients with cardiac disease were evaluated. 12 patients with cardiac disease underwent cardiac catheterization. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained prior to and 30 min after the oral ingestion of chamomile tea. With tea, the patients demonstrated a small but significant increase in the mean brachial artery pressure. No other significant hemodynamic changes were observed. 10 of the 12 patients fell into a deep sleep shortly after drinking the beverage.
In quantifying the effects of mild sedatives both physiological and subjective aspects of sleep must be taken into account. A questionnaire analysis on a mild sedative (400 mg of an aqueous extract of Valeriana officinalis L.) showed that by subjective criteria it is sedative (i.e. it significantly decreased perceived sleep latencies and night awakenings, and improved sleep quality). In an EEG study on the same preparation the pattern of results tended to confirm the subjective evaluation (i.e. shorter mean sleep latency, increased mean latency to first awakening) but the changes did not reach statistical significance. The discussion critically examines some of the approaches used to test putative mild sedatives and suggests a rational approach to analysing their effects.
Restoration or repair must, like growth, depend on protein synthesis. This chapter presents evidence to support this proposition from nearly 60 reports showing that rates of protein synthesis or of mitotic division are higher at the time of rest and sleep. In addition, the chapter presents a theory, based on fundamental principles, to explain why this should be so. Oscillations about a mean are inherent in any system subject to feedback control, and this is true of all living systems. In the simplest organisms there are oscillations between food-engulfing activity on the one hand and inactivity with assimilation on the other. There will also be oscillations between a state in which degradative chemical processes are accelerated and one in which synthetic processes are enhanced. It is proposed in this chapter that it is the differing energy demands of the activity/inactivity rhythm that chiefly determine the degradative/synthetic rhythm, such that the synthetic period inevitably coincides with the inactive or rest period, and that this is equally true in higher organisms in which a central nervous system ensures rest's integrity through positive unresponsiveness during sleep, and that such relationships, present throughout the animal kingdom, rely upon a fundamental metabolic co-coordinator, the “cellular energy charge”. The energy charge is a measure of the available free energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
We present the first reported case of valerian (Valeriana officianalis) overdose. This herb is popular as a sedative but little is known about its toxic effects. The patient presented with mild symptoms, all of which resolved within 24 h. Valerian overdose, at approximately 20 times the recommended therapeutic dose, appears to be benign.
101 outpatients suffering from anxiety of non-psychotic origin (DSM-III-R criteria: agoraphobia, specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with anxiety) were included in a 25-week multicenter randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial with WS 1490, a special extract of kava-kava. In the main outcome criterion, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), there was a significant superiority of the test drug starting from week 8 on. WS 1490 was also found to be superior with respect to the secondary outcome variables. HAMA subscores somatic and psychic anxiety, Clinical Global Impression, Self-Report Symptom Inventory-90 Items revised, and Adjective Mood Scale. Adverse events were rare and distributed evenly in both groups. These results support WS 1490 as a treatment alternative to tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines in anxiety disorders, with proven long-term efficacy and none of the tolerance problems associated with tricyclics and benzodiazepines.
1. The kava-pyrones kawain and dihydromethysticin are constituents of Piper methysticum which exert anticonvulsant, analgesic and anxiolytic properties. 2. In the present study the effect of these kava-pyrones were tested on field potential changes (fp) induced by omission of the extracellular Mg2+, recorded from the area CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampal slice preparation of guinea pigs. These fp are generated by an activation of NMDA receptors and voltage dependent calcium channels. 3. Kawain and dihydromethysticin reduced reversibly the frequency of occurrence of fp in a concentration range from 5 to 40 mumol/l and 10 to 40 mumol/l, respectively. 4. Reduction of the fp frequency after addition of subthreshold concentrations of 5 mumol/l kawain and 10 mumol/l dihydromethysticin indicated additive actions of both drugs. 5. Since the serotonin-1A agonist ipsapirone also exerts anxiolytic effects, subthreshold concentrations of kawain or dihydromethysticin were combined with a subthreshold concentration of ipsapirone in another set of experiments. Combining kawain and ipsapirone or dihydromethysticin and ipsapirone caused a reduction of the rate of fp to 0.76 and 0.81 of the baseline value, respectively. 6. The findings suggest that (i) single constituents of Piper methysticum may have additive actions, (ii) that the two components kawain and dihydromethysticin may enhance the effects of the anxiolytic serotonin-1A agonist ipsapirone and (iii) that activation of NMDA receptors and/or voltage dependent calcium channels may be involved in the elementary mechanism of action of some kava-pyrones.
During the seasons 1989-1993, Valeriana officinalis plants were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates. Harvesting of the subterranean parts was started in August of the year in which the seeds were sown, and continued until the last week of April of the subsequent year. Despite marked variations from year to year, the maximum contents of essential oil in the subterranean parts of V. officinalis were found in September, ranging from 1.2% to 2.1% (v/w) based on dry weight (DW). Over the vegetation periods investigated, the composition of the oil remained more or less constant. Valerenic acid and its derivatives, and the valepotriates reached their maxima in February-March, with contents of 0.7-0.9% (DW) and 1.1-1.4% (DW), respectively.
During the period 1989-1993, five V. officinalis strains were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates in order to select plants suitable for phytomedicines. The selection procedures described in this paper finally yielded plant material (in 1993) with a satisfactory content of essential oil (0.9%) combined with a high content of valerenic acid and derivatives (0.5%) which can be harvested in September of the year of sowing.
EEG activity, alertness, and mood were assessed in 40 adults given 3 minutes of aromatherapy using two aromas, lavender (considered a relaxing odor) or rosemary (considered a stimulating odor). Participants were also given simple math computations before and after the therapy. The lavender group showed increased beta power, suggesting increased drowsiness, they had less depressed mood (POMS) and reported feeling more relaxed and performed the math computations faster and more accurately following aromatherapy. The rosemary group, on the other hand, showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power, suggesting increased alertness. They also had lower state anxiety scores, reported feeling more relaxed and alert and they were only faster, not more accurate, at completing the math computations after the aromatherapy session.
A carefully designed study assessed the short-term (single dose) and long-term (14 days with multiple dosage) effects of a valerian extract on both objective and subjective sleep parameters. The investigation was performed as a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Sixteen patients (4 male, 12 female) with previously established psychophysiological insomnia (ICSD-code 1.A.1.), and with a median age of 49 (range: 22 to 55), were included in the study. The main inclusion criteria were reported primary insomnia according to ICSD criteria, which was confirmed by polysomnographic recording, and the absence of acute diseases. During the study, the patients underwent 8 polysomnographic recordings: i.e., 2 recordings (baseline and study night) at each time point at which the short and long-term effects of placebo and valerian were tested. The target variable of the study was sleep efficiency. Other parameters describing objective sleep structure were the usual features of sleep-stage analysis, based on the rules of Rechtschaffen and Kales (1968), and the arousal index (scored according to ASDA criteria, 1992) as a sleep microstructure parameter. Subjective parameters such as sleep quality, morning feeling, daytime performance, subjectively perceived duration of sleep latency, and sleep period time were assessed by means of questionnaires. After a single dose of valerian, no effects on sleep structure and subjective sleep assessment were observed. After multiple-dose treatment, sleep efficiency showed a significant increase for both the placebo and the valerian condition in comparison with baseline polysomnography. We confirmed significant differences between valerian and placebo for parameters describing slow-wave sleep. In comparison with the placebo, slow-wave sleep latency was reduced after administration of valerian (21.3 vs. 13.5 min respectively, p<0.05). The SWS percentage of time in bed (TIB) was increased after long-term valerian treatment, in comparison to baseline (9.8 vs. 8.1% respectively, p<0.05). At the same time point, a tendency for shorter subjective sleep latency, as well as a higher correlation coefficient between subjective and objective sleep latencies, were observed under valerian treatment. Other improvements in sleep structure - such as an increase in REM percentage and a decrease in NREM1 percentage - took place simultaneously under placebo and valerian treatment. A remarkable finding of the study was the extremely low number of adverse events during the valerian treatment periods (3 vs. 18 in the placebo period). In conclusion, treatment with a herbal extract of radix valerianae demonstrated positive effects on sleep structure and sleep perception of insomnia patients, and can therefore be recommended for the treatment of patients with mild psychophysiological insomnia.
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is a traditional herbal medicine, which enjoys contemporary usage as a mild sedative, spasmolytic and antibacterial agent. It has been suggested, in light of in vitro cholinergic binding properties, that Melissa extracts may effectively ameliorate the cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease. To date, no study has investigated the effects on cognition and mood of administration of Melissa to healthy humans. The present randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced-crossover study investigated the acute effects on cognition and mood of a standardised extract of M. officinalis. Twenty healthy, young participants received single doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg of M. officinalis (Pharmaton) or a matching placebo at 7-day intervals. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) computerised test battery and two serial subtraction tasks immediately prior to dosing and at 1, 2.5, 4 and 6 h thereafter. In vitro IC(50) concentrations for the displacement of [3H]-(N)-nicotine and [3H]-(N)-scopolamine from nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in human occipital cortex tissue were also calculated. Results, utilising the cognitive factors previously derived from the CDR battery, included a sustained improvement in Accuracy of Attention following 600 mg of Melissa and time- and dose-specific reductions in both Secondary Memory and Working Memory factors. Self-rated "calmness," as assessed by Bond-Lader mood scales, was elevated at the earliest time points by the lowest dose, whilst "alertness" was significantly reduced at all time points following the highest dose. Both nicotinic and muscarinic binding were found to be low in comparison to the levels found in previous studies.
Kava and valerian are herbal remedies that are claimed to have anxiolytic and sedative properties respectively, without dependence potential or any appreciable side effects. In this pilot study, 24 patients suffering from stress-induced insomnia were treated for 6 weeks with kava (LI-150), 120 mg daily. This was followed by a 2-week 'wash-out' period off treatment, and then, five patients having dropped out, 19 received valerian (LI-156), 600 mg daily, for another 6 weeks. Then there was a further 2-week period off treatment, and a final 6 weeks of treatment of these 19 patients with the two compounds combined (kava + valerian). Stress was measured in three areas: social, personal and life events; insomnia in three areas also: time to fall asleep, hours slept and waking mood. Total stress severity was significantly relieved by both compounds individually (p < 0.01), with no significant differences between them; and there was also improvement with the combination, significant in the case of insomnia (p < 0.05). On direct questioning, 16 patients (67%) reported no side effects on kava, 10 (53%) on valerian and 10 (53%) on the combination. The 'commonest' effect was vivid dreams with kava + valerian (4 cases (21%)) and with valerian alone (3 cases (16%)), followed by gastric discomfort and dizziness with kava (3 cases each (3 %)). These results are considered to be extremely promising but further studies may be required to determine the relative roles of the two compounds for such indications. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of cognition and mood by the aromas of Ylang-Ylang and peppermint essential oils. Paper presented by the University of Manchester at the summer meeting of the British Association for Rational Phytotherapy Kava: an overview
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Comparison of stage four and 1-REM sleep deprivation On certain central neu-rolotropic effects of lavender essential oil
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Effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) on mood changes during acute psychological stress
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Zopiclone abuse in South Wales
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Therapie mit phytopharmaka Versuche: sedativ-hypnotische wirkstoffe im hopfen nachzuweisen. Arzheim-Forsche
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Therapie von insomnien: wirksameit und vertraglichkeit eines Baldrian-preparates
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Therapeutische moglichkeiten mit einem hochdosierten standardisierten kava-kava-paparat (antares 120) ei ang-sterkrangungen
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