Collectively , the literature reveals pre clinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways , with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals , along with good safety and tolerability profiles
Anxiety disorders are chronic and functionally disabling conditions with high psychological stress , characterised by cognitive symptoms of excessive worry and focus difficulties and physiological symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia .
Gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system and is a key target of pharmacotherapies in the treatment of anxiety .
Although current pharmaceutical treatments are often efficacious , they may cause undesirable side effects including cognitive decrements and withdrawal symptoms .
Plant-based " phytomedicines " may provide novel treatment options , to act as an adjunctive or alternative to existing anxiolytic medications .
As such , we conducted a systematic review to assess the current body of literature on anxiolytic phytomedicines and /or phytoconstituents .
The Sedative Effect of Non-Alcoholic Beer in Healthy Female Nurses
Introduction The hop ( Humulus lupulus L. ) , a component of beer , is a sedative plant whose pharmacological activity is principally due to its bitter resins , in particular to the α-acid degradation product 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol . The mechanism of action of hop resin consists of raising the levels of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) , an inhibitory neurotransmitter acting in the central nervous system ( CNS ) . Objectives To analyze the sedative effect of hops as a component of non-alcoholic beer on the sleep/wake rhythm in a work-stressed population . Methods The experiment was conducted with healthy female nurses ( n = 17 ) working rotating and /or night shifts .  Overnight sleep and chronobiological parameters were assessed by actigraphy ( Actiwatch ® ) after moderate ingestion of non-alcoholic beer containing hops ( 333 ml with 0,0 % alcohol ) with supper for 14 days ( treatment ) . Data were obtained in comparison with her own control group without consumption of beer during supper . Results Actigraphy results demonstrated improvement of night sleep quality as regards the most important parameters : Sleep Latency diminished ( p≤0.05 ) in the Treatment group ( 12.01±1.19 min ) when compared to the Control group ( 20.50±4.21 min ) , as also did Total Activity ( p≤0.05 ; Treatment group = 5284.78±836.99 activity pulses vs Control = 7258.78±898.89 activity pulses ) . In addition , anxiety as indexed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory ( STAI ) decreased in the Treatment group ( State Anxiety 18.09±3.8 vs Control 20.69±2.14 ) . Conclusion The moderate consumption of non-alcoholic beer will favour night-time rest , due in particular to its hop components , in addition to its other confirmed benefits for the organism
Collectively , the literature reveals pre clinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways , with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals , along with good safety and tolerability profiles
Anxiety disorders are chronic and functionally disabling conditions with high psychological stress , characterised by cognitive symptoms of excessive worry and focus difficulties and physiological symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia .
Gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system and is a key target of pharmacotherapies in the treatment of anxiety .
Although current pharmaceutical treatments are often efficacious , they may cause undesirable side effects including cognitive decrements and withdrawal symptoms .
Plant-based " phytomedicines " may provide novel treatment options , to act as an adjunctive or alternative to existing anxiolytic medications .
As such , we conducted a systematic review to assess the current body of literature on anxiolytic phytomedicines and /or phytoconstituents .