GABAA receptor modulators from Chinese herbal medicines traditionally applied against insomnia and anxiety

In conclusion, A. macrocephala exerts its in vitro activity on recombinant GABAA receptors mainly through the two sesquiterpene lactones atractylenolide II and III (Fig. 1). This positive allosteric modulation of IGABA may partially be responsible for the traditional ethnopharmacological use of this herbal drug as a sedative.