Writing in the journal Phytomedicine, researchers described how the supplement Benesomno, supplied by Korean company Nutra-it, reduced sleep latency and enhanced sleep efficacy, as well as decreased daytime sleepiness in people.
“The reduction in wake after sleep onset was closely associated with a decrease in sleep latency, indicating that standardized lime peel supplement (SLPS) positively affected not only sleep onset but also sleep maintenance,” the researchers reported in the placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. “These findings suggest that SLPS contributes to a more continuous and uninterrupted sleep pattern.”
A previous study by the researchers in 2024 in mice found that a standardized lime peel supplement resulted in a hypnotic effect that was comparable to Zolpidem, otherwise known as the common sleep-aid brand Ambien.
Zolpidem can increase sleep efficiency by 9% to 10% in clinical trials. In this latest study, the researchers demonstrated that sleep efficiency increased by 8.5% following administration of SLPS.
“We know that the pharmaceutical industry is doing extremely well because of the need for sleep, and they’re selling a lot of prescription medications for sleep issues,” said Colleen Madden, vice president of innovation at CK Ingredients, the North American distributor of Benesomno. “There are a lot of side effects, and there are a lot of concerns around prescriptions for sleep enhancement. And the data out of this new study is on par with Zolpidem’s efficacy.”
The role of neurotransmitters
Approximately 10% of adults experience insomnia, a condition that involves difficulties getting asleep and maintaining it, while another 20% of adults have occasional insomnia. This can lead to physical and neurological disorders, including cardiovascular disease and anxiety disorders.
Sedative-hypnotic drugs and natural sleep aids are often used to address symptoms of insomnia and typically target receptors of neurotransmitters, including GABA, histamine, melatonin, orexin and adenosine.
GABA type A (GABAA) is targeted by these drugs and aids. Flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds found in plants, also happen to exert sedative-hypnotic qualities to modulate GABAA.
“We previously confirmed that SLPS exerted sleep-promoting effects by specifically interacting with the GABA-binding site of the GABAA receptor,” the researchers explained. “This suggests that SLPS may offer potential benefits with a more favorable side effect and dependency profile than other supplements commonly used for insomnia.”
Study details
Dried lime peel was provided by Citro Jugo S.A. de C.V., Colima, Mexico and extracted. Eighty participants received 300 mg/day of SLPS or a placebo over two weeks. Demographic data and physiological measurements were also taken as well as a physical activity and dietary questionnaires. The participants self-reported sleep quality over the study period.
The researchers also conducted polysomnography, a sleep study that measures physiological dimensions during sleep for additional information from the participants.
They underwent the monitoring at the Seoul Special Sleep Center and were measured for rapid eye movement, total duration of all sleep stages and respiratory disturbances, among other parameters.
“After two weeks of intervention, significant improvements were observed in sleep efficacy and total sleep time in the SLPS group,” the researchers noted. “Following SLPS administration, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset and total wake time decreased by 64.13 %, 31.49 % and 41.70 %, respectively, compared with baseline.”
The study was funded by the Korea Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups.
Madden of CK Ingredients said Benesomno is now available in the North American market and can go into any finished good format.
Source: Phytomedicine. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156510. “Efficacy and safety of standardized lime peel supplement in adults with sleep disturbance: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, polysomnographic study.” Authors: Seonghui Kim et al.
