Anxiolytics naturally occurring

Some naturally occurring neurotransmitters may be similar to drugs we use. For example, it is well known that the brain makes its own morphine (i.e., beta endorphin), and its own marijuana (i.e., anandamide). The brain may even make its own antidepressants, it own anxiolytics, and its own hallucinogens. Drugs often mimic the brain s natural neurotransmitters. Often, drugs are discovered prior to the natural neurotransmitter. Thus, we knew about morphine before the discovery of beta-endorphin marijuana before the discovery of cannabinoid receptors and anandamide the benzodiazepines diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax) before the discovery of benzodiazepine receptors and the antidepressants amitriptyline (Elavil) and fluoxetine (Prozac) before the discovery of the serotonin transporter site. This un-... 

In SUMMARY, the naturally occurring ligands for the benzodiazepine and /or GABA-A receptor sites that act as sedative-hypnotics or anxiolytics all directly or indirectly augment GABA-A receptors and thereby depress neuronal activity. In this respect they act in a similar way to the various classes of drugs used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Such compounds do not induce natural sleep. They all increase slow-wave sleep but reduce REM sleep. 

One study has suggested that a nonstereoselective inhibition of [3H]noradrenaline uptake may be responsible for, or at least contribute to, kava s anxiolytic effect (16). This investigation tested the effects of naturally occurring (+)-kavain, (+)-methysticin, and a synthetic racemic mixture of kavain on synaptosomes from the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rat brains. 

Another very simple test to evaluate substances with anxiolytic action is the Test of Neophobia in Rats [80]. When rats are exposed to new food in their natural habitat, or when their usual food is placed in a new environment, or when both occur, namely, food and environment are both new, the animals intake of food is reduced (neophobic reaction). This seems to be the result of a reaction of "fear" or of "anxiety" on the part of the animal to external stimuli ultimately, the anxiolytics should be able to block the reaction, as, in fact, they do. 

Benzodiazepines. The benzodiazepines (BZs) are well established as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and muscle relaxants as represented bydiazepam,clonazepam,midazo-1am, and triazolam (Fig. 10.9). The BZ nucleus also occurs in natural products. Asperlicin is a... 

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