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Natural products in insomnia: Molecular mechanisms, action targets, and therapeutic potential
Haonan Gao1, Zhenhua Liu2, Xia Zhong3
1First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China.
Abstract:
Insomnia is a disorder characterized by sleep disturbances and daytime impairments. It can be alleviated with conventional clinical medications, but considerable individual variability and adverse effects (AEs) remain persistent challenges. Many natural products are known for their low toxicity and multi-target properties. These products offer distinct advantages in treating insomnia by modulating its underlying pathological mechanisms. Although previous reviews have summarized the effects of natural products on insomnia, systematic classification based on natural products and comprehensive exploration of their interactions with multidimensional pathological mechanisms remain insufficient. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms by which natural products modulate insomnia. It also offers an in-depth discussion of the current limitations and challenges. The goal is to establish a theoretical foundation and technical framework to optimize treatment strategies and advance the clinical translation of natural product research.
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