Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2025
Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia
Published on: February 17, 2023
Effect of anxiolytic drug silexan on sleep - a narrative review
Erich Seifritz1, Siegfried Kasper2, Hans-Jürgen Möller3
1Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Objectives:
Silexan is an orally administered, proprietary essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia with significant anxiolytic and sleep improving properties. Here we present a narrative review that provides an overview of the available evidence of the effects of silexan on sleep.
Methods:
We start with a summary of the pharmacological background and continue with presenting sleep-related results from controlled clinical trials with silexan. Then we report on a meta-analysis of item 'insomnia' from the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, which includes data from all randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials with silexan in which the scale was administered. Finally, we summarise the results of a mediation analysis that was performed to elucidate the pathway of the effect of silexan on sleep.
Results:
In randomised, placebo-controlled trials in patients suffering from anxiety disorders silexan had a significant anxiolytic effect and improved sleep along with recovery from anxiety. Mediation analysis demonstrates that more than 98% of the effect of silexan on sleep was mediated by its anxiolytic effect while the direct effect on sleep was marginal.
Conclusions:
Silexan improves sleep as a result of its anxiolytic effect.
More Related Videos
06:23A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
Published on: September 22, 2020
05:59Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
Published on: October 20, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:17Sedatives 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...
01:29Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
01:23Sedatives 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...
01:26Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
01:19Sedatives 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...
01:19Management of Insomnia