Rhus parviflora and its biflavonoid constituent, rhusflavone, induce sleep through the positive allosteric modulation of GABA A-benzodiazepine receptors

Sabina Shrestha, Ji Hae Park, Dae Young Lee, Jin Gyeong Cho, Suengmok Cho, Hye Jin Yang, Hye Im Yong, Min Seok Yoon, Dae Seok Han, Nam In Baek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Rhus parviflora is referred as 'Tintidikah' in traditional medicinal system of south Asia (Ayurveda). It is used in treatment of Vāta vikāra, a condition related to neurological complications as well as cure for stomach disorders. Materials and methods: Dried and powdered fruits of R. parviflora were extracted with 80% aqueous methanol (RPME). The concentrated extract was successively partitioned with distilled water (DW), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). All extracts, as well as isolated biflavonoids from R. parviflora, were evaluated for their affinity to the benzodiazepine binding site of GABA A receptor. The sedative-hypnotic effects of the fractions were evaluated by measuring sleep latency and sleep duration during pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice after oral administration of the extract fractions. Results: Oral administration of RPME (125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent decrease in sleep latency and an increase in sleep duration in mice treated with pentobarbital. The methanol extract produced a hypnotic effect that was fully blocked by 3H-Ro 15-1788 flumazenil (FLU). Further, among the solvent fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significant activity. Among the isolated compounds, biflavonoids mesuaferrone B (1), rhusflavone (3), and agathisflavone (4) competitively inhibited FLU binding with a K i of 0.280 μM, 0.045 μM, and 0.091 μM, respectively. In addition, analysis of the sedative-hypnotic effects of rhusflavone, as well as those of the ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and distilled water fractions revealed that the modulation of both the ethyl acetate fraction and biflavonoid rhusflavone (3) are the most potent in inducing sleep. Conclusion: The presence of conjugated ketone and C6-C8″ biflavonoid linkage in rhusflavone may be responsible for BZD-site of the GABA A leading to decrease in sleep latency and increase sleep duration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)213-220
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Ethnopharmacology
Volume142
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Ayurveda
  • Biflavonoid
  • GABA type A-benzodiazeine receptor
  • Hypnotic effects
  • Rhusflavone Rhus parviflora

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rhus parviflora and its biflavonoid constituent, rhusflavone, induce sleep through the positive allosteric modulation of GABA A-benzodiazepine receptors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this