title: Artemisia capillaris Thunberg Produces Sedative-Hypnotic Effects in Mice, Which are Probably Mediated Through Potentiation of the GABAA Receptor.
abstract: The Artemisia group of plants has long been used as a traditional remedy for various conditions. The present study assessed the sleep-promoting (sedative-hypnotic) effects of Artemisia capillaris Thunberg (A. capillaris), and elucidated a possible mechanism behind its effect. ICR mice were given A. capillaris extract (oral) at different dosages (50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg/kg), distilled water (oral; control), or diazepam (intraperitoneal; reference drug). One hour after administration, locomotion (open-field test) and motor coordination (rota-rod test) were assessed. The extract's effect on pentobarbital-induced sleep was also evaluated. Additionally, electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were measured in rats. To evaluate a possible mechanism behind its effects, changes in chloride ( Cl (-)) ion influx were measured in human neuroblastoma cells. As compared to the control group, mice treated with A. capillaris demonstrated significantly decreased locomotor activity and impaired motor balance and coordination. The extract also shortened the onset and lengthened the duration of sleep induced by pentobarbital sodium. These effects were comparable to that induced by diazepam. Furthermore, A. capillaris-treated rats showed increased delta and decreased alpha EEG waves; an electroencephalographic pattern indicative of relaxation or sedation. In neuroblastoma cells, the extract dose-dependently increased Cl (-) ion influx, which was blocked by co-administration of bicuculline, a GABAA receptor competitive antagonist, suggesting that its effects are mediated through the GABAA receptor- Cl (-) ion channel complex. Altogether, the results of the present study demonstrate that A. capillaris possesses potent sedative-hypnotic effects, which are probably mediated through potentiation of the GABAA receptor- Cl (-) ion channel complex.
authors.affiliation: Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Irene Joy I
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: dela Peña
authors.affiliation: Food R&D Center, CJ CheilJedang, Kyeongin-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-051, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eunyoung
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: June Bryan
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: de la Peña
authors.affiliation: Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Sun
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul 132-714, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cheong
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D018118:Chloride Channels; D002712:Chlorides; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A
keywords: Artemisia capillaris Thunberg (A. capillaris); Electroencephalogram (EEG); Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA); Sedative-Hypnotics; Sleep