Deng L, Shi AM, Wang Q. Sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic effects and the mechanism of action of aqueous extracts of peanut stems and leaves in mice.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2018;
98:4885-4894. [PMID:
29572847 DOI:
10.1002/jsfa.9020]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Peanut stems and leaves (PSL) have traditionally been used as both a special food and a herbal medicine in Asia. The sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic effects of PSL have been recorded in classical traditional Chinese literature, and more recently by many other researchers. In a previous study, four sleep-related ingredients (linalool, 5-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyflavanone, 2'-O-methylisoliquiritigenin and ferulic acid), among which 5-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyflavanone and 2'-O-methylisoliquiritigenin were newly found in Arachis species, were screened by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF-MS). In the current study, quantitative examination of the above four ingredients was conducted. Serious fundamental functional studies were done in mice, including locomotor activity, direct sleep tests, pentobarbital-induced sleeping time tests, subthreshold dose of pentobarbital tests and barbital sodium sleep incubation period tests, to determine the material base for the sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic effects of aqueous extracts of PSL. Furthermore, neurotransmitter levels in three brain regions (cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem) were determined using UHPLC coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QQQ-MS) in order to elucidate the exact mechanism of action.
RESULTS
Aqueous extract of PSL at a dose of 500 mg kg-1 (based on previous experience), along with different concentrations of the above four functional ingredients (189.86 µg kg-1 linalool, 114.75 mg kg-1 5-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyflavanone, 32.4mg kg-1 2'-O-methylisoliquiritigenin and 44.44 mg kg-1 ferulic acid), had a sedative-hypnotic effect by affecting neurotransmitter levels in mice.
CONCLUSION
The data demonstrate that these four ingredients are the key functional factors for the sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic effects of PSL aqueous extracts and that these effects occur via changes in neurotransmitter levels and pathways. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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