Sanjoinine A Isolated from Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Augments Pentobarbital-Induced Sleeping Behaviors through the Modification of GABA-ergic Systems

Protective Effects of Sanjoinine A against N-Methyl-D-aspartate-Induced Seizure

“…59) Our previous research had already demonstrated that sanjoinine A could influence expression of GABA A receptor subunits and glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD) in cultured granule neurons. 9) Our current results further suggest that sanjoinine A could exert its anticonvulsant effects through inhibition of Ca 2ϩ influx activated by NMDA receptors. Although it is still unclear from our data whether sanjoinine A exerts its antiseizure and neuron protective effects directly through NMDA receptors, it is possible that sanjoinine A may at least downregulate the excitatory effects of NMDA by stimulation of GABAergic systems.…”

“…41,[60][61][62] Sanjoinine A is effective in activating GABA A receptors, increasing GAD levels and increasing chloride influx in cultured neurons. 9) The chloride channel of the GABA A receptor is responsible for the rapid hyperpolarization, and activation of GABA A receptor could induce opening of chloride channel and subsequent hyperpolarization, which could block the excitatory effects induced by NMDA. 63) Sanjoinine A could be considered as a hopeful candidate for treatment of epilepsy or convulsions.…”

“…Cell Culture Primary cultures of cerebellar neurons enriched in granule cells were prepared from cerebella of 8 d old Sprague-Dawley rats as previously described. 9) Briefly, cells were plated (1ϫ10 6 cells per 0.2 ml) in 96 microplates or (2ϫ10 6 cells per 2 ml) in 60-mm dishes that had been coated with poly-D-lysine (10 mg/ml) (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.). The cells were cultured in basal Eagle's medium (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD, U.S.A.) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (Life Technologies), 2 mM glutamine, gentamicin (100 mg/ml), antibiotic-antimycotic solution (10 ml/l; Sigma, U.S.A.) and 25 mM KCl.…”

Pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and sub-acute toxicity studies of Trichilia monadelpha aqueous extract

“…Pentobarbitone is a barbiturate that produces depressant effect on the central nervous system through activation of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. 9,10 In the preliminary test to investigate the intrinsic hypnotic doses of the extract and pentobarbitone, it was observed that 50 mg/kg pentobarbitone sodium induced sleep in the rats. On the contrary, even the highest dose of the extract (1000 mg/kg) did not induce sleep in any of the rats tested.…”

Herbs for the Treatment of Insomnia

“…The hypnotic effect of semen zizyphi spinosi was postulated to be due to the anti-cholinergic and anti-histaminergic actions of betulic acid, an active compound of this herb. However, peptide alkaloids from semen zizyphi spinosi increased total sleeping time through modulation of GABAergic systems (Ma et al, 2007). In vitro analysis suggests an affi nity for 5HT1a, 5HT2, and GABA receptors (Yi et al, 2007).…”