Chinese medicines with sedative–hypnotic effects and their active components

2016 Oct   Sleep Medicine Reviews   Shi MM, Piao JH, Xu XL, Zhu L, Yang L, Lin FL, et al.

The study concludes that active ingredients from TCM, including alkaloids, terpenoids, volatile oils, flavonoids, lignanoids and coumarins, saponins, and others, exhibit sedative-hypnotic effects. Current research on TCM's treatment of insomnia is discussed, covering aspects such as active ingredients, sources, experimental models and methods, results, and mechanisms. Additionally, Chinese compound prescriptions derived from various single herbs with sedative-hypnotic effects are introduced, and the acting pathways of TCM are explored in terms of regulating central neurotransmitters, influencing sleep-related cytokines, and improving the structure of the central nervous system.