apigenin and Sleep-Wake-Disorders

Sleep is considered as one of the most important aspects for maintaining a healthy life. For a person to function normally, at least 6-8 hours of sleep daily is necessary. Sleep not only affects our mood, but also regulates the efficiency of work done. Many complications arise due to inadequacy of sleep. The unhealthy food and lifestyle choices have made us more prone to sleep disorders. The medications used for the treatment of sleep disorders are mainly habit forming and have tendencies of withdrawal symptoms. This inadequacy in medication has lead to search for newer, better options. The field of nutraceuticals fits apt for treating such disorders. The quality of being non-toxic, non-habit forming, and being practically more efficient has had made it an excellent option. Nutraceuticals make use of food or part of food for the treatment or to prevent any disease. Remarkable positive effects of nutraceuticals like Caffeine, Chamomile, Kava kava, Cherries and Cherry juice, L tryptophan, Valerian, Vitamin D, Marijuana, melatonin, Lemon balm had been mentioned in the treatment of sleep disorders. The present review gives a general overview of nutraceuticals and discusses their use in sleep disorders.

Topics: Caffeine; Chamomile; Dietary Supplements; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Humans; Kava; Plant Extracts; Sleep Wake Disorders; Valerian

Topics: Chamomile; Humans; Phytotherapy; Sleep Wake Disorders; Tea

In the present study, we investigated hypnotic activities of chamomile and passiflora extracts using sleep-disturbed model rats. A significant decrease in sleep latency was observed with chamomile extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg, while passiflora extract showed no effects on sleep latency even at a dose of 3000 mg/kg. No significant effects were observed with both herbal extracts on total times of wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep and REM sleep. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, at a dose of 3 mg/kg showed a significant antagonistic effect on the shortening in sleep latency induced by chamomile extract. No significant effects were observed with chamomile and passiflora extracts on delta activity during non-REM sleep. In conclusion, chamomile extract is a herb having benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity.

Topics: Animals; Chamomile; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electroencephalography; Flowers; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Male; Passiflora; Plant Components, Aerial; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sleep Wake Disorders