Effect of UP165, a Zea mays Leaf Extract Standardized for 6‑methoxybenzoxazolinone, as Sleep Adjunct

Background: Sleep is a natural phenomenon essential for rejuvenating the body, promoting good health, upholding memory, performance, and maintaining overall health. Its deprivation is linked to the increased health risk that leads to poor quality of life and negative socioeconomic consequences. While behavioral techniques, such as improving sleep hygiene, are typically the first‑line of intervention, pharmaceutical drugs are frequently used as adjuncts. However, for most, besides being too expensive, the long‑term use of these drugs is marred by their severe adverse side effects and crippling dependency. As a result, significant numbers of patients are always in search for a safe and efficacious alternative from natural sources. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the effects of UP165, a Zea mays (commonly known as corn) leaf extract standardized for 6‑methoxybenzoxazolinone content, on sleep latency and sleep time in pentobarbital‑induced mouse sleep model. The extract was orally administered at 250 mg/kg (low dose), 500 mg/kg (mid dose), and 1000 mg/kg (high dose) daily for 32 days. The immediate impact of the extract on sleep was also assessed. Results: Increases of 11.6 ± 0.2 (P = 0.008), 10.2 ± 2.4 (P = 0.022), and 10.5 ± 0.9 (P = 0.017) minutes in sleep time were observed for the 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg UP165 treated mice compared to vehicle control, respectively. Up to 67% sleep latency incidence was observed for mice treated with UP165 compared to the 20% in the vehicle control group. UP165 showed no immediate drowsiness effect. No differences in baseline and end of study bodyweight were observed between groups. Conclusion: UP165 could be used as an adjunct for a sleep disorder.