POMC and Anxiety: According to modern pharmacology, AEO may act as a sedative and tranquilizer (anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and promoting sleep) by inhibiting HPA axis overreaction, suppressing nNOS protein levels in the hippocampus, reducing gene expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal CRF, lowering serum levels of ACTH and CORT (as evidenced in mice), and modulating neurotransmitters, such as 5-OH, DA, NE, and so on.