Efficacy and safety of standardized lime peel supplement in adults with sleep disturbance: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, polysomnographic study

Abstract

Background

Citrus peels are rich in flavonoids with potential sedative-hypnotic effects; however, these effects have not yet been fully explored. We previously demonstrated that, in mice, standardized lime peel supplement (SLPS) induced non-rapid eye movement sleep and shortened sleep latency through GABA_A receptors activation.

Purpose and Study Design

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SLPS in adults experiencing sleep disturbances. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involved 80 subjects who received either SLPS (300 mg/day) or placebo for a 2-week period.

Results

SLPS significantly improved polysomnographic outcomes, including a reduction in sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, and total wake time, and enhancement of sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and stage 2 sleep. Daytime sleepiness, assessed via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, was also decreased by SLPS.

Conclusion

No serious adverse effects or side effects were reported among participants in the SLPS group during the intervention period. Our findings support SLPS as a potential natural sleep aid for improving sleep in adults with sleep disturbance.