Conclusions
Both SZJ-I and SZJ-II demonstrated significant sedative-hypnotic activities, as evidenced by shortened immobility time and potentiation of sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep. SZJ-II, with a higher saponin content, exhibited greater potency. SZJ-I and SZJ-II also protected against PCPA-induced neuropathological damages in the brain and modulated neurotransmitter levels (5-HT, dopamine, noradrenaline, glutamate), inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β), and other signaling molecules (nitric oxide, prostaglandin D2) in plasma. Furthermore, SZJ-I and SZJ-II differentially regulated the expression of various receptors and enzymes in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, suggesting multiple mechanisms contributing to their sedative-hypnotic effects.
