Abstract
Insomnia is a pervasive and prominent problem worldwide, afflicting approximately one-third of the population and profoundly affecting patients' quality of life. Efficient and safe sedative-hypnotic medications are required. Menyanthes trifoliata L. (Mt), a sleeping herb in China, is used as a hypnotic remedy in ethnomedicines; however, there are few studies on this herb. We systematically evaluated the potential of Mt as a sedative-hypnotic candidate. The chemical constituents of the Mt extract were analyzed by lLiquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and mass spectrometry (LC-PDA-MS). The sedative-hypnotic effects of Mt extract (0.5, 2, and 4g/kg) were investigated using the pentobarbital-induced sleep test (PIST), the caffeine-induced insomnia model (CIIM), and the open field test (OFT). Furthermore, the effect of Mt on sleep architecture was investigated using electroencephalography/electromyography (EEG/EMG). The safety of the Mt extract was evaluated using the maximum tolerated dose method. Fifteen phenolic compounds were identified based on their UV absorption and MS fragmentation using LC-PDA-MS analysis. In the CIIM, PIST, and OFT, Mt extract exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in sleep latency, an extension of total sleep duration, and a decrease in locomotor activity. Moreover, it increased the duration of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and reduced wakefulness after one day's administration, according to EEG/EMG. Additionally, no signs of toxicity were observed at a dose of 30g/kg (equivalent to 316.46g/kg of crude drugs). This study supports the potential medicinal use of Mt extract for sleep promotion.
Published Version
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