FOOD SCIENCE ›› 2011, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (11): 296-299.doi: 10.7506/spkx1002-6630-201111062

• Nutrition & Hygiene • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Sedative and Hypnotic Effects of Water-soluble Alkaloids from Male Flowers of Eucommia

LI Xin,LIU Yan,ZHU Wen-xue,GUO Han,LIU Shao-yang   

  1. College of Food and Bioengineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
  • Online:2011-06-15 Published:2011-05-13

Abstract: Objective: To explore the sedative and hypnotic effects of different doses of water-soluble alkaloids from male flowers of Eucommia. Methods: Water-soluble alkaloids were extracted from Eucommia male flowers by an acidic water extraction method, their effect on spontaneous activities of mice, hypnotic function with and without the presence of pentobarbital sodium and anticonvulsant effects were investigated at different doses. Results: Water-soluble alkaloids from Eucommia male flowers could decrease the frequency of spontaneous activities, significantly increase sleeping ratio below the threshold dose, prolong the sleeping time and shorten the sleeping latency. Meanwhile, these alkaloids also could effectively reduce the eclamptic ratio of the mice and significantly prolong the convulsion latency. Conclusion: Water-soluble alkaloids of Eucommia male flowers have obviously sedative and hypnotic effects in mice and there is a synergistic effect between them and pentobarbital sodium.

Key words: Eucommia male flowers, water-soluble alkaloids, sedation, hypnosis

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