Scientifically proven sleep-enhancing effect of Korean native ‘Hongcheon-hop Hops’ extract
Nutricare (hereinafter referred to as ‘Nutricare’) announced on April 14 that it has proven the sleep-enhancing effect of Korean native ‘Hongcheon-hop Hops’ extract through a study conducted in collaboration with the research team of Professor Seo Hyung Joo of the Department of Biosystems Science at Korea University based on a technical cooperation MOU with the Hongcheon Agricultural Technology Center.
The research was supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Regional Specialized Industry Development+ (R&D) program, and the results were published in the internationally renowned Journal of Ethnopharmacology under the title “Sleep-enhancing effect of Hongcheon-hop (Humulus lupulus L.) extract containing xanthohumol and humulone through GABAA receptor”.
In animal studies, Nutricare and the research team found that hong cheon hops extract had the following effects
- Increase sleep duration
- Increase NREM (non-rapid eye movement sleep), the deepest form of sleep
- Increase overall sleep quantity and quality
In particular, the extract was able to alleviate sleep disturbances in an animal model of caffeine-induced insomnia, suggesting its potential as a treatment for insomnia.
In an additional study, Nutricare’s Raw Material Innovation (RMI) materials development team administered the extract for three weeks and found that
increased the content of GABAA and serotonin receptors in the brain and activated the expression of related proteins and genes.
Furthermore, the researchers identified xanthohumol and humulone, the functional constituents specifically found in hops, as the main components responsible for the sleep-enhancing effects.
“We are currently preparing for human application trials to verify the sleep improvement efficacy of rhodiola rosea extract in humans,” said Dr. Jae-Hyun Kim, head of the research team at Nutricare RMI Materials Development.
“This research is significant in that it suggests new possibilities as a functional ingredient along with the high value-added use of indigenous agricultural resources in Korea,” said Dr. Kim, “It will expand the potential for the use of rhodiola rosea in the field of functional foods and sleep disorder treatment, and contribute to improving the value of local agricultural resources.”
Based on the results of this research, Nutricare will develop innovative products to improve the sleep health of Korean consumers.
