Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2026

High-Throughput Small Molecule Drug Screening For Age-Related Sleep Disorders Using Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: October 20, 2023
[Phytotherapeutic drugs and sleep]
1Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik, Depressionsforschung, Schlafmedizin und Neurophysiologie, Basel.
Abstract:
Most of the studies about phythotherapeutics and sleep confirmed only hypnotic effects on subjective sleep variables. For LI 160, a hypericum extract, an induction of slow wave sleep was demonstrated in older volunteers. In patients with major depression (MD) an increase of slow wave sleep was observed by our group after a six week therapy with hypericum extract (LI 160) and after an adjunct therapy with Ginkgo biloba LI 1370 extract. In MD sleep disturbances and hypersecretion of glucocorticoids are common features. For LI 160 beneficial effects on depressed mood and for LI 1370 effects on cognitive functioning are well documented. The potential relationship between influence on sleep structure and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis will be discussed within the neurophysiological-neuroendocrine "extended two process model" of sleep regulation.
Related Concept Videos
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Management of Insomnia
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
