Abstract:
Present study examined the effect of warm black tea brew/ infusion (BTB) of
Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (family: Theaceae) on sleep. The above was tested
in hexabarbital mduced sleep model in mice using three doses (equivalent to 1.5.3.
and9cups. 1 cup 170ml)ofSriLankanhighgrownI>ustgradeNo: 1 blackteaora
single dose (equivalent to 9 cups) of green tea brew (GTB) of Japanese and Chinese
varieties. The results showed tiiat black tea brew (BTB) significantly (P < 0.05) and
dose-dependently prolonged the onset and shortened the duration of sleep. A similar
effect was elicited with the high dose of GTBs but with a higher efficacy.
Decaffeination of BTB suppressed the effects on the onset of sleep mduced by the
normal BTB. It is concluded that Sri Lankan black tea disrupts sleep in mice
possibly via dopamineigic, serotoninergic and nerve stimulant mechanisms.
