Tea obtained from leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf is used for its anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties in Brazilian folk medicine. Essential oil (EO) from fresh leaves was obtained by hydrodistillation and orally administered to Swiss male mice 30 min before experimental procedures. EO at 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg was evaluated for sedative/hypnotic activity through pentobarbital s...

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely used in clinical practice as anxiolytics, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants. However, they have some undesired effects including memory problems. In continuing our research on novel benzodiazepine ligands, we are looking for ligands with less adverse effects. Previously, 4 novel derivatives of 2-phenoxy phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole were synthesized as...

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely used in clinical practice as anxiolytics, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants. However, they have some undesired effects including memory problems. In continuing our research on novel benzodiazepine ligands, we are looking for ligands with less adverse effects. Previously, 4 novel derivatives of 2-phenoxy phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole were synthesized as...

A fatality due to ingestion of zolpidem, a recently developed nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic, and acepromazine, a phenothiazine sedative used in veterinary practice, is reported. Both drugs were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. Zolpidem and acepromazine blood concentrations were 3.29 and 2.40 micrograms/ml, respectively. It is the fi...

The GABA(A) receptors are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in mammalian brain. Each isoform consists of five homologous or identical subunits surrounding a central chloride ion-selective channel gated by GABA. How many isoforms of the receptor exist is far from clear. GABA(A) receptors located in the postsynaptic membrane mediate neuronal inhibition that occurs in the millisecond...