Sedative Potential of L (+)-Tartaric Acid: Behavioral Evidence With In Silico Insights Into Possible GABAergic Interaction.
8 affiliations
- 1Department of Pharmacy, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh.
- 2Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Medway, Kent, UK.
- 3Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- 4Central labs, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
- 5Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
- 6Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- 7Phytochemistry and Biodiversity Research Laboratory, BioLuster Research Center Ltd, Gopalganj, Bangladesh.
- 8Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.
Abstract
Purpose
Insomnia is a prevalent neurological disorder often caused by stress, anxiety, and imbalances in the GABAergic system. Although benzodiazepines like diazepam (DZP) are commonly prescribed, their long-term use is associated with adverse effects, including dependence and impaired coordination. Therefore, there is growing interest in natural alternatives with safer pharmacological profiles.Method
This study aimed to investigate the sedative-like potential of L (+)-tartaric acid (LTA), a naturally occurring organic acid, through both in vivo and in silico approaches targeting the γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor. Sedative-like activity was evaluated in Swiss albino mice using thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time, open-field, and rotarod tests.Findings
LTA significantly reduced sleep latency and prolonged sleep duration in a dose-dependent manner, with the higher dose (240 mg/kg) producing a more pronounced effect. Co-administration of LTA with DZP further enhanced thiopental-induced hypnosis. In the open-field test, LTA reduced locomotor and exploratory activities, as evidenced by decreases in square crossings, rearing, and grooming behaviors. Rotarod assessment demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in motor coordination and neuromuscular performance, although the impairment remained less pronounced than that produced by DZP at the lower tested dose. Molecular docking revealed lower binding affinity than DZP but demonstrated multiple hydrogen-bond (HB) interactions with key amino acid (AA) residues of the GABAA receptor, suggesting a potentially stable receptor interaction.Conclusion
Collectively, the behavioral and computational findings indicate that LTA possesses sedative-like properties and may modulate GABAergic neurotransmission. Further mechanistic, pharmacokinetic, and electrophysiological studies are required to clarify its precise mode of action and therapeutic potential.
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BibTeX
@article{bithi2026sedative,
title = {{Sedative Potential of L (+)-Tartaric Acid: Behavioral Evidence With In Silico Insights Into Possible GABAergic Interaction.}},
author = {Sumaya Akter Bithi and Anike Chakrabarty and Khadija Akter and Chinmoy Kumar Saha and Mohammad Y Alshahrani and Md Arif Hossain and Emon Mia and Noshin Tasnim Yana and Afiya Ajmee and Proma Mandal and Md Sakib Al Hasan and Muhammad Torequl Islam},
journal = {Brain and behavior},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/brb3.71870},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42949153},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Sedative Potential of L (+)-Tartaric Acid: Behavioral Evidence With In Silico Insights Into Possible GABAergic Interaction.
AU - Sumaya Akter Bithi
AU - Anike Chakrabarty
AU - Khadija Akter
AU - Chinmoy Kumar Saha
AU - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
AU - Md Arif Hossain
AU - Emon Mia
AU - Noshin Tasnim Yana
AU - Afiya Ajmee
AU - Proma Mandal
AU - Md Sakib Al Hasan
AU - Muhammad Torequl Islam
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Brain and behavior
DO - 10.1002/brb3.71870
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42949153
AB - Purpose Insomnia is a prevalent neurological disorder often caused by stress, anxiety, and imbalances in the GABAergic system. Although benzodiazepines like diazepam (DZP) are commonly prescribed, their long-term use is associated with adverse effects, including dependence and impaired coordination. Therefore, there is growing interest in natural alternatives with safer pharmacological profiles.Method This study aimed to investigate the sedative-like potential of L (+)-tartaric acid (LTA), a naturally occurring organic acid, through both in vivo and in silico approaches targeting the γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor. Sedative-like activity was evaluated in Swiss albino mice using thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time, open-field, and rotarod tests.Findings LTA significantly reduced sleep latency and prolonged sleep duration in a dose-dependent manner, with the higher dose (240 mg/kg) producing a more pronounced effect. Co-administration of LTA with DZP further enhanced thiopental-induced hypnosis. In the open-field test, LTA reduced locomotor and exploratory activities, as evidenced by decreases in square crossings, rearing, and grooming behaviors. Rotarod assessment demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in motor coordination and neuromuscular performance, although the impairment remained less pronounced than that produced by DZP at the lower tested dose. Molecular docking revealed lower binding affinity than DZP but demonstrated multiple hydrogen-bond (HB) interactions with key amino acid (AA) residues of the GABAA receptor, suggesting a potentially stable receptor interaction.Conclusion Collectively, the behavioral and computational findings indicate that LTA possesses sedative-like properties and may modulate GABAergic neurotransmission. Further mechanistic, pharmacokinetic, and electrophysiological studies are required to clarify its precise mode of action and therapeutic potential.
SN - 2162-3279
ER -