Valeriana Officinalis and Melissa Officinalis Extracts Normalize Brain Levels of GABA and Glutamate Altered by Chronic Stress

Andrea Zangara,Francesco Scaglione

doi:10.23937/2572-4053.1510016

Abstract

Valeriana Officinalis and Melissa Officinalis Extracts Normalize Brain Levels of GABA and Glutamate Altered by Chronic Stress

Highlights

Sleep loss and sleep disorders are among the most common health problems
Results indicate that the two extracts together exert a functional synergism leading to normalization of brain levels of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and glutamate altered by stress
To assess whether Valeriana officinalis (VAL) and Melissa officinalis (MEL) were able to change the levels of GABA and glutamate in animals subjected to stress, rats were stressed with the Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress (UCMS) procedure

Summary

Introduction

Sleep loss and sleep disorders are among the most common health problems. Surveys report that approximately 30% to 40% of adults have problems initiating or maintaining sleep [1,2,3]. About 10% to 15% of adults report severe problems, and this statistic rises up to 25% in the elderly [2]. Insomnia is found in up to 69% of patients attending primary care clinics and more common with chronic medical conditions [3,4]. Chronic sleep loss has serious consequences for health, performance, and safety [5]. Benzodiazepines are known to be effective for insomnia, their clinical benefit is negligible and similar to that found with exercise therapy alone [8]. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists chronic treatment is limited by con-

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Discussion

Conclusion