| Objective To discuss the effects of canthin-6-one extracted from Ailanthus altissima on sedation and hypnosis in mice. Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a diazepam-positive drug group, and a low, medium and high dose groups of canthin-6-one (5, 10, 20 mg·kg-1). Then, the mice were induced to sleep using pentobarbital sodium with suprathreshold and subthreshold dose by intraperitoneal injection. The proportion of sleeping, sleep latency and sleep duration of mice were recorded. The contents of 5-HT, NE, DA and GABA of brain tissue were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer's instruction. Results The duration of spontaneous activity and standing was significantly decreased (P<0.05) by injected with 10, 20 mg·kg-1 of canthin-6-one. The proportion of sleeping mice with the subthreshold dose of pentobarbital sodium was significantly increased by 10, 20 mg·kg-1 canthin-6-one (P<0.05), the sleep latency and the sleep time with the suprathreshold dose of pentobarbital sodium were also changed (P<0.05). Moreover, the content of 5-HT, NE in brain tissues were markedly reduced by 10, 20 mg·kg-1 canthin-6-one (P<0.05); However, the content of GABA was markedly increased. (P<0.05) Conclusion Canthin-6-one had obvious synergistic effects on improving sleeping quality combined with pentobarbital sodium. The mechanism is correlated to neurotransmitter (5-HT, NE, GABA) release in the brain. |
