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01-09-2021 | Insomnia | Psychiatrics • Original Article

Hypnotic activities of Zao Ren An Shen capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine, in an anxiety-like mouse model

Authors: Tian-Xiao Wang, Hao-Hua Wei, Ze-Ka Chen, Wei-Min Qu, Zhi-Li Huang

Published in: Sleep and Breathing | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Zao Ren An Shen capsule (ZRASC) which is composed of three kinds of traditional Chinese herbs is a popular Chinese medicine for the treatment of insomnia. This study investigated the hypnotic effect of ZRASC in an anxiety-like mouse model.

Methods

We determined the role of ZRASC in anxiety and co-morbid insomnia using electroencephalogram and electromyogram recordings. Anxiety-like behaviors were tested by using the open-field, light/dark box, or elevated plus-maze in mice. Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to reveal the mechanism by which ZRASC regulated anxiety and insomnia.

Results

ZRASC at 680 mg/kg prolonged the time spent in the central area, open arms area, and light box by 1.9, 2.3, and 1.7-fold respectively, compared with the vehicle control group in immobilization stress (IMS) mice. ZRASC at 680 mg/kg given at 08:00 h increased the amount of non-rapid eye movement sleep by 1.4-fold in a 2-h period after dosing in IMS mice. However, it did not alter the sleep-wake behaviors in normal mice. Immunohistochemistry showed that IMS increased c-Fos expression in the neurons of the stria terminalis and tuberomammillary nucleus by 1.8 and 1.6-fold, respectively. In addition, ZRASC (680 mg/kg) reversed the IMS-induced c-Fos expression.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that ZRASC is an effective therapeutic strategy for both anxiety disorder and sleep disturbances in an anxiety-like mouse model.

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Title: Hypnotic activities of Zao Ren An Shen capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine, in an anxiety-like mouse model
Authors: Tian-Xiao Wang
Hao-Hua Wei
Ze-Ka Chen
Wei-Min Qu
Zhi-Li Huang
Publication date: 01-09-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Insomnia
Anxiety
Published in: Sleep and Breathing / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 1520-9512
Electronic ISSN: 1522-1709
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-020-02244-5

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Hypnotic activities of Zao Ren An Shen capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine, in an anxiety-like mouse model

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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