Hypnotic effect of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea) on pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice

Abstract

Objective:The present study was performed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of red cabbage and its fractions on sleeping behavior in mice.Materials and Methods:The extract and its fractions were injected to mice and sleep duration as well as sleep latency were recorded. Furthermore, toxicity of the extract was determined both in vivo and in vitro.Results:The extract increased sleep duration at doses of 50–200mg/kg (P < 0.001). This observed hypnotic effect was comparable to that of diazepam (3mg/kg) (P < 0.001 in comparison with control group). Ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions could increase sleep duration (P < 0.001). The sleep latency was decreased by the extract (P < 0.001) and only ethyl acetate fraction (P < 0.001). LD50 value for red cabbage extract was 2.4g/kg. There was no toxic effect on viability of cultured neuronal cells (PC12). Rotarod test results showed that there were no significant differences between the extract groups and the control group.Conclusion:The results suggest that red cabbage potentiates pentobarbital hypnosis without any toxic effect. The main component(s) responsible for this effect is most likely to be intermediate polar agent(s) such as flavonoids, which are found in ethyl acetate fraction of this plant.

Bridging the Reciprocal Gap between Sleep and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: A Review of the Evidence, Potential Mechanisms, Implications, and Directions for Future Work

“…Other studies found that different polyphenols modulated sleep via GABA receptors. Polyphenols such as phlorotannins [203,204] and triphlorethol A (seaweed polyphenols) [216], red cabbage extracts [217], and kiwifruit extracts [206] decreased SOL and increased sleep duration via GABA receptors in mice. Other polyphenols such as bioflavonoids extracts from Rhus parviflora referred as Tintidikah, a medicinal plant used in south Asia, were the most potent components in decreasing SOL and increasing sleep duration via GABA receptors [205].…”