Effect of Chaiguizaoan Decoction on insomnia rat model and its potential mechanism
HU Chunyan1, GUO Qi1, LIU Gang1, LIU Xueling1, ZHA Xinyi1, GAO Yuxin1, ZHOU Ruichen1, LU Suqin2
(1. Medical College of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212013; 2. Department of Encephalopathy, Zhenjiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212003, China)
Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Chaiguizaoan Decoction on pChlorophenylalanine(PCPA) induced insomnia model rats. Methods: Male SD rats randomly divided into 5 groups, namely, the normal group, model group, positive drug group (diazepam 1 g/kg), the Chaiguizaoan Decoction high dose group(30 g/kg) and the low dose group(15 g/kg), 5 rats in each group. In addition to the normal group, each group was intraperitoneally injected with 350 mg/kg PCPA at 1 mL/100 g, and the normal group was given the same volume of normal saline, which was continuously injected for 3 d.The disappearance of circadian rhythm in rats indicated that the model was successfully prepared. On the first day after the success of the model, the highdose and lowdose Chaiguizaoan Decoction group and the positive group were administered orally at 1 mL/100 g, while the normal group and model group were given normal saline of the same volume for 7 d continuously.The spontaneous activity of rats was observed, and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), Bcl2, Bax, IL2, IL6 and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) indexes were detected. Results: Compared with the normal group, the activity time and standing times of the rats in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with before administroation, the activity time and standing times of the insomnia model rats were significantly shortened in Chaiguizaoan highdose group(P<0.05). Compared with model group, serum BDNF content in Chaiguizaoan Decoction highdose group was significantly increased (P<0.05).Serum GFAP content of Chaiguizaoan Decoction in high- and low-dose groups was remarkably decreased (P<0.05), serum IL-2, IL-6, Bcl-2 content and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with Chaiguizaoan Decoction highdose group, serum BDNF, IL2, Bcl-2 content and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were greatly increased, while IL-6 and GFAP content was markedly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Chaiguizaoan Decoction could attenuate insomnia, shorten the activity time and reduce the standing times of insomnia model rats induced by PCPA, which may be attributed to regulating the content of neuroprotective factor BDNF, apoptosisrelated factors Bcl-2 and Bax, cytokines IL-2 and IL-6, and inhibiting the proliferation and activation of astrocytes.
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