Flos Albiziae aqueous extract and its active constituent quercetin potentiate the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital via the serotonergic system

Ye,Meng‑Fei; Liu,Zheng; Lou,Shu‑Fang; Chen,Zhen‑Yong; Yu,Ai‑Yue; Liu,Chun‑Yan; Yu,Chao‑Yang; Zhang,Hua‑Fang; Zhang,Jian

doi:10.3892/br.2015.518

Flos Albiziae aqueous extract and its active constituent quercetin potentiate the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital via the serotonergic system

Authors:
- Meng‑Fei Ye
- Zheng Liu
- Shu‑Fang Lou
- Zhen‑Yong Chen
- Ai‑Yue Yu
- Chun‑Yan Liu
- Chao‑Yang Yu
- Hua‑Fang Zhang
- Jian Zhang
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Affiliations: Department of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, P.R. China, Department of Basic Course, Shaoxing University Yuanpei College, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, P.R. China, Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, P.R. China
Published online on: September 24, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2015.518
Pages: 835-838

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Abstract

Flos albiziae (FA) is reportedly used for treatment of insomnia and anxiety in traditional medicine. The hypnotic effect of an extract of FA (FAE) and its constituent quercetin [2‑(3,4‑dihydroxyphenyl)‑3,5,7‑trihydroxy‑4H‑chromen‑4‑one, QR] was examined in mice. QR is a widely distributed natural flavonoid abundant in FA flowers and other tissues. The possible mechanisms underlying the hypnotic effects of FAE and QR were investigated using behavioral pharmacology. FAE and QR significantly potentiated pentobarbital‑induced [50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (ip)] sleep (prolonged sleeping time; shortened sleep latency) in a dose‑dependent manner, and these effects were augmented by administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor of 5-hydroxytryptamine. With a sub-hypnotic dose of pentobarbital (28 mg/kg, ip), FAE and QR significantly increased the rate of sleep onset and were synergistic with 5‑HTP (2.5 mg/kg, ip). Pretreatment with p‑chlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, significantly decreased sleeping time and prolonged sleep latency in pentobarbital‑treated mice, whereas FAE and QR significantly reversed this effect. Data show that FAE and QR have hypnotic activity, possibly mediated by the serotonergic system. The present study offers a rationale for the use of FA in treating sleep disorders associated with serotonin system dysfunction.

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