Combined Effects of Ziziphus jujuba, Dimocarpus longan, and Lactuca sativa on Sleep-Related Behaviors through GABAergic Signaling

Bae GY, Ko K, Yang E, Park SS, Suh HJ, Hong KB · Foods · 2023 December 19

Objective

To investigate the sleep-promoting effects of a mixed ratio of botanical extracts from Ziziphus jujuba seeds, Dimocarpus longan fruits, and Lactuca sativa leaves using animal models.

Conclusions

The study concludes that the mixed ratio of Z. jujuba, D. longan, and L. sativa extracts, particularly in the ratio of 4:1:1, may have sleep-enhancing effects in fruit flies and mice.

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Insights

A blend of jujube seeds, longan fruits, and lettuce leaves significantly increases sleep time in fruit flies and mice.

In the methodology of this study, behavioral analyses using fruit flies were carried out to find the optimal combination of extracts from Ziziphus jujuba seeds, Dimocarpus longan fruits, and Lactuca sativa leaves. The experiment further tested this mixture's sleep-enhancing effects on a caffeine-induced sleepless model and via neurotransmitter receptor antagonists in fruit flies. Additionally, ICR mice were used to comprehend the potential effect of the extracts on sleep duration. Discussion of the study's outcomes has indicated that the mixed ratio – particularly 4:1:1 – of the three extracts considerably enhances total sleep time both in the fruit flies and the mice. Moreover, the experiment spotted alternations in gene expression related to GABA receptors, pointing to a probable mechanism underlying the promoted sleep effects.