Evaluation of the sedative and hypnotic effects of astragalin isolated from Eucommia ulmoides leaves in mice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of astragalin on the central nervous system. Astragalin is a monomeric compound found in the leaves of Eucommia ulmoides using a system solvent method. In the experiments, astragalin showed significant effects on mice, including reduced spontaneous activity, increased sleep ratio, shortened sleep latency and lengthened sleep time with a subthreshold or superthreshold dose of pentobarbital sodium. In addition, astragalin effectively reduced the convulsion rate and prolonged convulsion latency. These findings confirmed that astragalin had excellent sedative and hypnotic effects and has potential to be commercialised as a novel nutraceutical agent to promote calming and improve central nervous system-associated pathologies.