Research progress on the intervention of gastroesophageal reflux disease with sleep disorders through the “brain-gut axis”with traditional Chinese medicine
- VernacularTitle:中医药通过“脑-肠轴”干预胃食管反流病伴睡眠障碍的研究进展
- Author:
Zezhong TENG
1
;
Liqun LI
2
;
Jinjing TAN
3
;
Sheng XIE
4
;
Chengning YANG
2
Author Information
1. Graduate School，Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine，Nanning 530023，China
2. Dept. of Spleen and Stomach Disease，the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine，Nanning 530023，China
3. Office of Clinical Trial Institution，the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine，Nanning 530023，China
4. Preventive Treatment Center，the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine，Nanning 530023，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
gastroesophageal reflux disease;
sleep disorders
- From:
China Pharmacy
2026;37(6):812-816
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The comorbidity rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） and sleep disorders is high， and the two form a vicious circle through the “brain-gut axis”， which seriously impacts the patients’ quality of life. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， guided by the core principles of “holistic concept” and “syndrome differentiation and treatment”， features multi-targeted therapeutic effects with minimal side effects， offering diverse intervention options for clinical practice. From the perspective of the “brain-gut axis”， this article reviews the relationship between the comorbidity of GERD and sleep disorders and systematically examines relevant research findings on how TCM regulates the “brain-gut axis” to intervene in this comorbid condition. The study reveals that the “brain-gut axis” may participate in the pathological progress of GERD accompanied by sleep disorders through pathways such as abnormalities in the secretion of brain-gut peptides （including gastrointestinal secretin）， as well as intestinal dysbiosis. By closely focusing on core pathogenic mechanisms such as “disharmony between the liver and stomach” and “insomnia due to stomach disharmony”， various approaches can be employed， including TCM formulas （e.g.， modified Sini powder combined with Zuojin pills）， external TCM therapies （e.g.， back-shu point digital acupressure）， and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatments （e.g.， modified Chaihu guizhi ganjiang decoction combined with proton pump inhibitors）. These methods can regulate the levels of neurotransmitters， gastrointestinal hormones， inflammatory factors， and the composition of intestinal microbiota associated with the “brain-gut axis”， thereby achieving simultaneous improvement in both GERD and sleep disorders.
