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

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 GABAA 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.