![]() ![]() Healthy, young individuals usually experience several NREM and REM cycles during the night the typical length of one NREM–REM cycle in humans is approximately 90 min. Three distinct vigilance states can be identified on the basis of the level of arousal and electroencephalogram (EEG) activity: wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (NREM), and rapid eye movement (REM). The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the GABA receptors in sleep regulation and to perform a systematic analysis of literature addressing the GABAergic mechanisms of action of herbal remedies for insomnia. GABA A receptor modulation is one of the four key mechanisms of action of the approved pharmacological therapies for insomnia (the other three mechanisms are melatonin receptor agonism, histamine 1 receptor antagonism, and hypocretin/orexin antagonism). This is not surprising, as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is recognized as one of the main neurotransmitters responsible for sleep regulation. Studies of several herbal remedies used for insomnia highlighted that changes in the central GABAergic neurotransmission could be responsible for the anxiolytic and the sedative properties of these remedies. Pharmacologically, herbal and traditional medicines represent complex mixtures of hundreds of constituents, making it difficult to isolate the active components and determine their exact mechanism of action. Īlthough their effectiveness is heavily debated, several herbal therapies for insomnia have been used for centuries, and many products, including valerian ( Valeriana officinalis L.) and chamomile ( Matricaria sp.), are still widely used today because of their good safety profile and their proposed anxiolytic and sedative proprieties. A number of recent studies demonstrate a steady increase in the uptake of complementary and alternative medicines for insomnia the reasons for this increase may include dissatisfaction or concern for side effects with pharmacological treatment, previous positive experiences, and self-perceived effectiveness of alternative medicine. Recent surveys suggest that almost two-thirds of individuals with sleep problems do not consult their doctor but search for treatment advice online, and herbal medicine remains a popular choice. In contrast, most herbal medicines for insomnia and anxiety offer an exceptional safety profile, sometimes with tenfold fewer adverse events than with pharmacotherapy. It should be noted that multiple approved therapies for insomnia come with a safety warning, and some hypnotics (including, for example, barbiturates) have been abandoned because of unfavorable adverse event profiles or substance abuse. Chronic insomnia affects people across all geographies, socioeconomic levels, and cultures because of this, sleeping pills are among the most frequently prescribed medicines worldwide. Sleep also contributes to a wide range of other physiological processes, e.g., metabolic and endocrine health and the strengthening of the immune system. Healthy sleep is a crucial process for optimal cognitive performance, including attention, emotional reactivity, and learning and memory. Sleep is a fundamental physiological process required to maintain physical and emotional well-being. Currently available evidence suggests that herbal extracts may exert some of their hypnotic and anxiolytic activity through interacting with GABA receptors and modulating GABAergic signaling in the brain, but their mechanism of action in the treatment of insomnia is not completely understood. Here, we perform a systematic analysis of studies assessing the mechanisms of action of various herbal medicines on different subtypes of GABA receptors in the context of sleep control. GABA receptors are the targets of many pharmacological treatments for insomnia, such as benzodiazepines. ![]() Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a major role in controlling different vigilance states. Research into their molecular components revealed that their sedative and sleep-promoting properties rely on interactions with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain. These herbal medicines have been shown to reduce sleep latency and increase subjective and objective measures of sleep quality. Centuries-old herbal treatments, popular for their safety and effectiveness, include valerian, passionflower, lemon balm, lavender, and Californian poppy. The interest in complementary and alternative medicines for treating or preventing insomnia has increased recently. Sleep is an essential component of physical and emotional well-being, and lack, or disruption, of sleep due to insomnia is a highly prevalent problem. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |