An in vivo assay method for natural sleep-promoting substances using measurement of skin temperature

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18892
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Natural medicines
• Research Institution: National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: Ogawa Yuko 国立研究開発法人国立循環器病研究センター, 研究所, 非常勤研究員 (00454497)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 睡眠 / 体温 / チコリ / 抑肝散

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have contributed to the search for substances that promote natural sleep from natural products, in research using electroencephalographic analyses of mice. But electroencephalographic analysis is not suitable as a screening assay method because it requires time-consuming, labor-intensive procedures prior to measurement and in analyzing the results. Therefore, we developed a new and easy in vivo assay method to screen sleeping substances using thermography. This assay method was focused on the changes in body temperature during sleep inducement. In this study, we use this novel assay method and search for sleep-promoting substances from natural products.
On the other hand, we also thought it might be possible to apply the method to Kampo formulae in order to determine the involvement of each crude drug component. In this study, the role of each crude drug in the activity of Yokukansan was evaluated.

Free Research Field

生薬・天然物化学