OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of Bai Ling Long Zao An Shen formula(BLLZ)in sleep improvement in an environmental stress-induced insomnia rat model and explore its underlying mechanisms.METHODS(1)Component analysis:the chemical constituents of the BLLZ extract were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS).(2)Eval-uation of the sedative and hypnotic effect:① Mice:50 ICR mice were randomly divided into normal control group,BLLZ-L group(5,10 and 20 g·kg-1)and diazepam group(DZP,3 mg·kg-1).After five days of intragastric administration,pentobarbital sodium-induced righting reflex and locomotor activity tests were performed.② Rats:8 SD rats were implanted with electrodes and allowed to recover for seven days before baseline EEG data was collected over 24 h.A crossover design(7 d washout period)was employed,with rats randomly assigned to the DZP(3 mg·kg-1)and BLLZ(20 g·kg-1)group.After five days of treatment,24 h EEG recordings were obtained.(3)Insomnia model and interventions:①8 SD rats were allowed to recover for seven days post-surgery,followed by 6 h(14:00-20:00)baseline EEG recording.A 3×3 crossover design was used to assign rats to model(environmental stress-induced insomnia),model+DZP,or model+BLLZ groups.After five days of treatment,insomnia was induced by frequent cage changes(14:00,16:00 and 18:00),and EEG changes were monitored.(4)Mechanistic study:32 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,model group,and model+DZP group.After five days of treatment,hypothalamic tissues were collected for biochemi-cal analysis.γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),glutamate(Glu),and dopamine(DA)levels were measured using biochemical kits while γ aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1(GABAA1),core clock proteins period circadian regulator 2(PER2)and circadian locomotor output cycles(CLOCK)protein expressions were assessed by Western blotting.RESULTS(1)Compared with the normal control group,the sleep latency of BLLZ 10 and 20 g·kg-1 and DZP groups was significantly shortened,and the locomotor activity of BLLZ 20 g·kg-1 and DZP groups was significantly reduced;BLLZ 20 g·kg-1 signifi-cantly increased the total sleep time,slow-wave sleep time,and average duration of sleep in normal rats,and significantly reduced the wakefulness time.(2)The total sleep time and slow-wave sleep time of the model group significantly decreased and the wakefulness time significantly increased compared with baseline.(3)Compared with the model group,the total sleep time and slow-wave sleep time of the model+BLLZ group and the model+DZP group were significantly increased,and the wakefulness time significantly shortened.(4)Compared with the normal control group,the Glu/GABA ratio,DA content and CLOCK protein expression were significantly increased and GABAA1 and PER2 protein expres-sion were significantly decreased in the model group;compared with the model group,the Glu/GABA ratio,DA content and CLOCK protein expression were significantly decreased,and the expression of GABAA1 and PER2 were significantly increased in the model+BLLLZ group and the model+DZP group.CONCLUSION BLLZ has sedative and hypnotic effects.It can prolong the total slow-wave sleep time by increasing the average duration of slow-wave sleep episodes,thereby increasing the total sleep time and improving environmental stress-induced insomnia.The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the Glu/GABA ratio and DA levels as well as the enhancement of GABAA1 expressions and the regulation of hypothalamic core clock protein expressions.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of Bai Ling Long Zao An Shen formula(BLLZ)in sleep improvement in an environmental stress-induced insomnia rat model and explore its underlying mechanisms.METHODS(1)Component analysis:the chemical constituents of the BLLZ extract were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS).(2)Eval-uation of the sedative and hypnotic effect:① Mice:50 ICR mice were randomly divided into normal control group,BLLZ-L group(5,10 and 20 g·kg-1)and diazepam group(DZP,3 mg·kg-1).After five days of intragastric administration,pentobarbital sodium-induced righting reflex and locomotor activity tests were performed.② Rats:8 SD rats were implanted with electrodes and allowed to recover for seven days before baseline EEG data was collected over 24 h.A crossover design(7 d washout period)was employed,with rats randomly assigned to the DZP(3 mg·kg-1)and BLLZ(20 g·kg-1)group.After five days of treatment,24 h EEG recordings were obtained.(3)Insomnia model and interventions:①8 SD rats were allowed to recover for seven days post-surgery,followed by 6 h(14:00-20:00)baseline EEG recording.A 3×3 crossover design was used to assign rats to model(environmental stress-induced insomnia),model+DZP,or model+BLLZ groups.After five days of treatment,insomnia was induced by frequent cage changes(14:00,16:00 and 18:00),and EEG changes were monitored.(4)Mechanistic study:32 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,model group,and model+DZP group.After five days of treatment,hypothalamic tissues were collected for biochemi-cal analysis.γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),glutamate(Glu),and dopamine(DA)levels were measured using biochemical kits while γ aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1(GABAA1),core clock proteins period circadian regulator 2(PER2)and circadian locomotor output cycles(CLOCK)protein expressions were assessed by Western blotting.RESULTS(1)Compared with the normal control group,the sleep latency of BLLZ 10 and 20 g·kg-1 and DZP groups was significantly shortened,and the locomotor activity of BLLZ 20 g·kg-1 and DZP groups was significantly reduced;BLLZ 20 g·kg-1 signifi-cantly increased the total sleep time,slow-wave sleep time,and average duration of sleep in normal rats,and significantly reduced the wakefulness time.(2)The total sleep time and slow-wave sleep time of the model group significantly decreased and the wakefulness time significantly increased compared with baseline.(3)Compared with the model group,the total sleep time and slow-wave sleep time of the model+BLLZ group and the model+DZP group were significantly increased,and the wakefulness time significantly shortened.(4)Compared with the normal control group,the Glu/GABA ratio,DA content and CLOCK protein expression were significantly increased and GABAA1 and PER2 protein expres-sion were significantly decreased in the model group;compared with the model group,the Glu/GABA ratio,DA content and CLOCK protein expression were significantly decreased,and the expression of GABAA1 and PER2 were significantly increased in the model+BLLLZ group and the model+DZP group.CONCLUSION BLLZ has sedative and hypnotic effects.It can prolong the total slow-wave sleep time by increasing the average duration of slow-wave sleep episodes,thereby increasing the total sleep time and improving environmental stress-induced insomnia.The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the Glu/GABA ratio and DA levels as well as the enhancement of GABAA1 expressions and the regulation of hypothalamic core clock protein expressions.