Insights & Discussion
The fermented jujube seeds extract significantly enhances sleep by binding to the GABA receptors, thus offers a promising natural alternative for sleep disorders treatment.
Methodology: An aqueous extract of jujube seeds (ZW) was fermented, following a starch-removing enzymatic degradation process, to increase its γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content, resulting in a fermented product (ZW-FM). The sleep-promoting effect of ZW-FM was evaluated using rodent models; specifically, sleep tests were performed on ICR mice with pentobarbital-induced sleep, while the electroencephalography analysis was undertaken in Sprague Dawley rats. Awakening relief effects of ZW-FM were assessed using a caffeine-induced insomnia model. To understand the mechanism, GABA receptor type A (GABA) antagonists were used.
Results: The groups given ZW-FM treatment displayed a longer sleep duration, particularly increased δ-wave time during non-rapid eye movement sleep, and reduced sleep latency. Particularly, the model treated with ZW-FM showed an increase in non-rapid-eye-movement sleep and a reduction in the REM sleep duration, brought about by caffeine treatment. The enhanced sleep induction caused by ZW-FM was hindered by GABA receptor antagonists, thereby validating the involvement of a GABAergic mechanism in promoting sleep.
Discover Related Insights
Consumption of jujube seed had a positive impact on improving the sleep quality of postmenopausal women and could be recommended as a useful herbal medication.
2020 BioMedicine Investigation the effect of jujube seed capsule on sleep quality of postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized clinical trial Mahmoudi R, Ansari S, Haghighizadeh MH, Maram NS, Montazeri S.
Randomised Controlled Trial Jujube Sleep Suan Zao Ren
The results show that the medicinal jujube seed capsule improved the sleep quality of postmenopausal women. Thus, it could be recommended as a safe plant with fewer complications compared to chemical and hormone drugs for the treatment of sleep disorders. Also, during the period of consuming jujube seed capsule in this study, except for a few cases of gastrointestinal disorders and in similar studies with this herbal medicine, consumers have reported no specific side effects. Therefore, considering that about one-third of adults in the world suffer from sleep disorders, the high prevalence of sleep disorders in postmenopausal women, and the lower cost of treatment by jujube seed capsule compared to other treatments, it is suggested implementing this treatment as a useful method in improving sleep quality in postmenopausal women.
The study shows the promising potential of Suan Zao Ren as a multi-effect traditional Chinese medicine derived from the seeds of Ziziphus Jujuba.
2020 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Botanical and Traditional Uses and Phytochemical, Pharmacological, Pharmacokinetic, and Toxicological Characteristics of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen: A Review Su-Rong He, Chong-Bo Zhao, Jing-Xia Zhang, Jing Wang, Bo Wu, Chun-Jie Wu, et al.
Systematic Review Anti-Ageing Anti-Inflammatory Anticancer
The methodology of the research was primarily a comprehensive literature review of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (aka Suan Zao Ren). The team explored the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, pharmacology, and discovered compounds in the seeds of Ziziphus Jujuba.
In regards to the results of the review, more than 150 compounds were identified in Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. These compounds, which mainly include terpenoids, flavonoids and others, show various biological activities. It was found that the seeds are particularly prominent in having sedative and hypnotic effects. Other properties discovered include antitumor potential, improvement to learning and memory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-aging, alongside lower blood pressure and lipid levels. Traditional usage of the seeds for the treatment of insomnia, forgetfulness, headaches and dizziness were confirmed by the review.