Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic Pathway

ABSTRACT Introduction Citronellal (CTL), a monoterpenoid, exhibits notable neurological activity, including anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects, primarily through GABAergic pathways. Our current study aimed to explore CTL's sedative potential using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches...

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Main Authors: Md. Torequl Islam, Md. Sakib Al Hasan, Emon Mia, Irfan Aamer Ansari, Siddique Akber Ansari, Md. Amirul Islam, Md. Saifuzzaman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70446
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author Md. Torequl Islam
Md. Sakib Al Hasan
Emon Mia
Irfan Aamer Ansari
Siddique Akber Ansari
Md. Amirul Islam
Md. Saifuzzaman
author_facet Md. Torequl Islam
Md. Sakib Al Hasan
Emon Mia
Irfan Aamer Ansari
Siddique Akber Ansari
Md. Amirul Islam
Md. Saifuzzaman
author_sort Md. Torequl Islam
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction Citronellal (CTL), a monoterpenoid, exhibits notable neurological activity, including anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects, primarily through GABAergic pathways. Our current study aimed to explore CTL's sedative potential using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches through the GABAergic pathway. Methods The in vitro GABAergic activity of CTL was assessed via colorimetric assay, while acute toxicity was evaluated in Swiss mice per OECD guidelines with doses up to 2000 mg/kg to establish safety margins. Sedative effects were assessed in Swiss mice using thiopental sodium (TS, 40 mg/kg)‐induced sleep protocols. CTL was administered at 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg doses, alone or combined with diazepam (DZP, 2 mg/kg) or flumazenil (FLU, 0.1 mg/kg). The in silico studies were also performed with GABAA receptors (α1 and β2 subunits) to investigate the possible molecular mechanism. Results The results demonstrated that in vitro, CTL exhibited significantly concentration‐dependent GABAergic activity. Acute toxicity tests indicated a high safety margin (no behavioral or physiological abnormalities at 2000 mg/kg dose). Additionally, CTL significantly (p < 0.05) and dose‐dependently reduced the latency and augmented sleep duration in animals, compared to the control group. It also significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the latency and increased the duration of sleep with DZP‐2 while reducing this parameter with FLU‐0.1. In in silico studies, CTL exhibited binding affinities (BAs) with the GABAA receptor (α1 and β2 subunits) of –5.6 kcal/mol. Conclusion CTL demonstrated potent sedative effects in vitro and in vivo, with a strong safety profile and interaction with the GABAA receptor (α1 and β2 subunits).
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spelling doaj-art-bf440b8e94284c84982b1b97276474fc2025-08-20T03:08:36ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-03-01153n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70446Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic PathwayMd. Torequl Islam0Md. Sakib Al Hasan1Emon Mia2Irfan Aamer Ansari3Siddique Akber Ansari4Md. Amirul Islam5Md. Saifuzzaman6Pharmacy Discipline Khulna University Khulna BangladeshDepartment of Pharmacy Gopalganj Science and Technology University Gopalganj BangladeshDepartment of Pharmacy Gopalganj Science and Technology University Gopalganj BangladeshDepartment of Drug Science and Technology University of Turin Turin ItalyDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy King Saud University Riyadh Saudi ArabiaPharmacy Discipline Khulna University Khulna BangladeshPharmacy Discipline Khulna University Khulna BangladeshABSTRACT Introduction Citronellal (CTL), a monoterpenoid, exhibits notable neurological activity, including anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects, primarily through GABAergic pathways. Our current study aimed to explore CTL's sedative potential using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches through the GABAergic pathway. Methods The in vitro GABAergic activity of CTL was assessed via colorimetric assay, while acute toxicity was evaluated in Swiss mice per OECD guidelines with doses up to 2000 mg/kg to establish safety margins. Sedative effects were assessed in Swiss mice using thiopental sodium (TS, 40 mg/kg)‐induced sleep protocols. CTL was administered at 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg doses, alone or combined with diazepam (DZP, 2 mg/kg) or flumazenil (FLU, 0.1 mg/kg). The in silico studies were also performed with GABAA receptors (α1 and β2 subunits) to investigate the possible molecular mechanism. Results The results demonstrated that in vitro, CTL exhibited significantly concentration‐dependent GABAergic activity. Acute toxicity tests indicated a high safety margin (no behavioral or physiological abnormalities at 2000 mg/kg dose). Additionally, CTL significantly (p < 0.05) and dose‐dependently reduced the latency and augmented sleep duration in animals, compared to the control group. It also significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the latency and increased the duration of sleep with DZP‐2 while reducing this parameter with FLU‐0.1. In in silico studies, CTL exhibited binding affinities (BAs) with the GABAA receptor (α1 and β2 subunits) of –5.6 kcal/mol. Conclusion CTL demonstrated potent sedative effects in vitro and in vivo, with a strong safety profile and interaction with the GABAA receptor (α1 and β2 subunits).https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70446citronellalGABAkine pathwaymonoterpene aldehydesedative effect
spellingShingle Md. Torequl Islam
Md. Sakib Al Hasan
Emon Mia
Irfan Aamer Ansari
Siddique Akber Ansari
Md. Amirul Islam
Md. Saifuzzaman
Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic Pathway
Brain and Behavior
citronellal
GABAkine pathway
monoterpene aldehyde
sedative effect
title Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic Pathway
title_full Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic Pathway
title_fullStr Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic Pathway
title_full_unstemmed Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic Pathway
title_short Citronellal Exerts Sedative‐Like Effects and Augments Diazepam's Action in Swiss Mice, Possibly Through the GABAergic Pathway
title_sort citronellal exerts sedative like effects and augments diazepam s action in swiss mice possibly through the gabaergic pathway
topic citronellal
GABAkine pathway
monoterpene aldehyde
sedative effect
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70446
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