Herbal Insomnia Medications that Target GABAergic Systems: A Review of the Psychopharmacological Evidence.

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder which is prevalent in women and the elderly. Current insomnia drugs mainly target the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, melatonin receptor, histamine receptor, orexin, and serotonin receptor. GABAA receptor modulators are ordinarily used to manage insomnia, but they are known to affect sleep maintenance, including residual effects, tolerance, and dependence.

Sesquiterpenoids from Farfugium japonicum and their inhibitory activity on NO production in RAW264.7 cells.

A new eremophilane sesquiterpenoid, namely, 3β-angeloyloxy-6β,8β-dihydroxy-9β-senecioyloxyeremophil-7(11)-en-12,8α-lactone, along with eight known sesquiterpenoids, was isolated from the rhizome of Farfugium japonicum. The structures of all isolates were identified based on analyses of spectroscopic data (HRESIMS, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR) and comparison with literature data. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1-4 on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccaride-activated mouse macrophages were also evaluated.

Abietane diterpenoids from Isodon inflexus.

Four abietane diterpenoids, inflexanin C, inflexanin D, inflexuside A and inflexuside B, were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon inflexus. Their respective structures were established by NMR, mass spectrometry and CD as (+)-(1S,4R,5S,7S,8S,10S,13S)-1,7,18-trihydroxy-abieta-9(11)-ene-12-one 1-monoacetate, (+)-(1S,4R,5S,10S,13S)-1,18-dihydroxy-abieta-7,9(11)-diene-12-one 1-monoacetate, (-)-(1S,5S,10S,11R,13R)-1,11,13-trihydroxy-abieta-8-ene-7-one 1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and (-)-(1S,5S,10S,11R,13R)-1,11,13-trihydroxy-abieta-8-ene-7-one 1-O-(2-O-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside. All compounds showed strong inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.