OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism through which Chaixian Huashen decoction(CXHSD)ameliorates lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)in mice.METHODS Component analysis:the components of CXHSD extract were analyzed via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive HFX).Network pharma-cology analysis was conducted to predict the potential active components and underlying therapeutic targets of CXHSD for ALI treatment.① Animal experiment:mice were randomly divided into the normal control group,model(LPS)group,model+dexamethasone(DEX)4 mg·kg-1 group,model+CXHSD 10 g·kg-1 group,and model+CXHSD 20 g·kg-1 group.Except for the normal control group,ALI was induced in all the mice by intratracheal instillation of LPS.Model+CXHSD groups received daily intra-gastric administration of corresponding treatments for 7 consecutive days.The model+DEX group was administered saline intragastrically for the initial 5 d,followed by DEX for the next 2 d.ALI was induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS 5 mg·kg-1 1 h after the 6th administration of CXHSD/DEX.24 h after modeling,the severity of pulmonary edema was assessed using the wet to dry weight(W/D)ratio,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to evaluate histopathological damage.The levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-1β in lung tissue homogenates and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was measured by bicinchoninic acid(BCA)assay.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to assess the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyD88),zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin,as well as the phosphorylation level of nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65).② Cell experiment:RAW264.7 cells were divided into the cell control group,LPS 1 mg·L-1 group,LPS 1 mg·L-1+DEX 1 mg·L-1 group,and LPS 1 mg·L-1+CXHSD 50,100 and 200 mg·L-1 groups.After 24 h of culture,the nitric oxide(NO)content was measured with the nitrate reductase method,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in the cell supernatants of each group were detected by ELISA.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis indicated that CXHSD might alleviate ALI through the NF-κB pathway.① Com-pared with the normal control group,the W/D ratio was elevated,pathological injuries aggravated(such as alveolar wall thickening,inflammatory infiltration,and alveolar congestion),histopathological damage pronounced,MPO activity increased,and total protein concentrations in BALF raised in the model group,in which levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1 β in both lung tissue and serum became higher.Concur-rently,LPS increased the expressions of p-NF-κB p65,TLR4 and MyD88,but reduced the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin.Compared with the model group,model+CXHSD groups had their pulmonary edema and lung pathological injury ameliorated as evidenced by alleviated alveolar wall thickening,inflammatory infiltration and alveolar congestion.The levels of MPO,TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in both lung tissue and serum,and the total protein concentrations in BALF were significantly decreased in the model+CXHSD groups.Additionally,the expressions of TLR4,MyD88,and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly downregulated,while those of ZO-1 and occludin were prominently upregulated.② Compared with the cell control,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,IL-6 and NO in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells were signifi-cantly increased in the LPS group.Compared with the LPS group,in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS+CXHSD at 100 mg·L-1,there was no significant difference in TNF-α levels.However,in the other groups treated with LPS+CXHSD,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,IL-6,and the content of NO were significantly reduced.CONCLUSION CXHSD can alleviate LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway,attenuating inflammation,and preserving pulmonary barrier integrity.

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with manual reduction on pain and lumbar function in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis under the guidance of the Bone Strengthening and Tendon Softening Theory.Methods Ninety elderly patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated in our hospital from January 2021 to April 2023 were selected as study subjects.Based on a random number table method,the participants were divided into experimental group and control group,each consisting of 45 cases.The control group received acupuncture treatment,while the experimental group received manual reduction treatment on top of that.Both groups underwent continuous treatment for 4 weeks.We compared the two groups in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)score,Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lumbar function score,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),serum inflammatory factor level,and clinical efficacy between before and after treatment.Results Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in TCM syndrome scores or VAS scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,both TCM syndrome scores and VAS scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores and ODI scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,JOA scores significantly increased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly higher scores than the control group(P＜0.05).ODI scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,the two groups did not differ significantly in serum IL-6,TNF-α,or CRP levels(P＞0.05).After treatment,serum IL-6,TNF-α,and CRP levels significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing lower levels than the control group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate in the experimental group was 88.89％,significantly higher than 68.89％ in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with manual reduction guided by the Bone Straightening and Tendon Softening theory can effectively alleviate pain,improve various TCM syndromes,enhance lumbar function level,and show significant clinical efficacy in patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role and mechanisms of the soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC)stimulator sGC003 in improving high altitude pulmonary edema(HAPE)in mice.METHODS Mice were randomly assigned to a normal control group,model group,model+dexamethasone 4 mg·kg-1 group(before modeling,intragastric administration of saline was performed once daily for 6 d,followed by intragastric administration of dexamethasone 4 mg·kg-1 on days 7 and 8),model+riociguat 10 mg·kg-1 group(before modeling,intragastric administration once a day for 7 d),and model+sGC003 5 and 10 mg·kg-1 groups(before modeling,intragastric administration once a day for 7 d).All groups except the normal control group received intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide at a dose of 4 mg·kg-11 h after drug administration on day 7,followed by placement in a hypoxic environment to establish the HAPE model.After 24 h of modeling,the expiratory time,end-inspiratory pause,enhanced pause,and breathing frequency were measured,Lung tissue morphology was examined using HE staining,and lung tissue edema was assessed by determining the wet to dry weight ratio(W/D).The level of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)was determined using immunofluorescence staining.The phosphorylation level of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein(VASP)in lung tissue was analyzed by Western blotting.Additionally,levels of sGC,hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP),IL-6,and IL-1βin serum were quantified using ELISA.RESULTS Compared with the normal control group,the model group had obvious pulmonary edema,and the lung W/D,IL-1β levels,expiratory time,end-inspiratory pause,enhanced pause,as well as serum levels of IL-1β,HIF-1α and IL-6 were significantly increased.Concurrently,the frequency of breathing and serum levels of sGC and cGMP were significantly decreased.Compared with model group,the expiratory time,end-inspiratory pause,enhanced pause,lung W/D and IL-1β levels,and serum levels of IL-1β,HIF-1α and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the model+sGC003 10 mg·kg-1 group;while the frequency of breathing,serum sGC and cGMP levels,phosphorylation level of VASP in lung tissues were significantly increased.CONCLUSION sGC003 can improve lung function,suppress pulmonary inflammation,and mitigate pulmonary edema in HAPE mice by activating the sGC/cGMP pathway.

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 anti-fatigue effect of chicory polysaccharide(CP)on mice exposed to simulated hypobaric hypoxia.METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,model+CP 150,300 and 600 mg·kg-1 groups.The control and model groups were given normal saline,while the CP groups were given drugs of different doses.After a 14 d pre-administration period,all the mice except the control group were exposed to a simulated alti-tude of 7 000 m in a hypobaric and hypoxic animal experimental chamber.After 7 d,a treadmill fatigue test was conducted to assess exercise endurance.The body weight and organ indexes were evaluated.The pathological changes in organs and tissues were observed via HE staining.The levels of fatigue-related and oxidative stress-related indicators were measured.The expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase(p-AMPK),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha(PGC-1α),and cytochrome c oxidase Ⅳ(COXⅣ)were determined using Western blotting anal-ysis.RESULTS Compared with model group,exercise endurance was significantly enhanced,body weight and organ indexes improved,and pathological damage to the lung,liver and skeletal muscle mitigated in the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group.Compared with model group,the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group had the contents of serum lactate and blood urea nitrogen reduced,but the contents of glycogen and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in the liver and skeletal muscle were increased.The malondialdehyde content was lowered,but the expressions of p-AMPK,PGC-1α,and COXⅣ in skeletal muscle were significantly increased.CONCLUSION CP can alleviate altitude-induced fatigue by reducing the metabolite accumulation,increasing glycogen storage,and lowering oxidative stress levels.The underlying mechanism may involve the activation of the AMPK/PGC-1αsignaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti-fatigue effect of chicory polysaccharide(CP)on mice exposed to simulated hypobaric hypoxia.METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,model+CP 150,300 and 600 mg·kg-1 groups.The control and model groups were given normal saline,while the CP groups were given drugs of different doses.After a 14 d pre-administration period,all the mice except the control group were exposed to a simulated alti-tude of 7 000 m in a hypobaric and hypoxic animal experimental chamber.After 7 d,a treadmill fatigue test was conducted to assess exercise endurance.The body weight and organ indexes were evaluated.The pathological changes in organs and tissues were observed via HE staining.The levels of fatigue-related and oxidative stress-related indicators were measured.The expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase(p-AMPK),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha(PGC-1α),and cytochrome c oxidase Ⅳ(COXⅣ)were determined using Western blotting anal-ysis.RESULTS Compared with model group,exercise endurance was significantly enhanced,body weight and organ indexes improved,and pathological damage to the lung,liver and skeletal muscle mitigated in the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group.Compared with model group,the model+CP 600 mg·kg-1 group had the contents of serum lactate and blood urea nitrogen reduced,but the contents of glycogen and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in the liver and skeletal muscle were increased.The malondialdehyde content was lowered,but the expressions of p-AMPK,PGC-1α,and COXⅣ in skeletal muscle were significantly increased.CONCLUSION CP can alleviate altitude-induced fatigue by reducing the metabolite accumulation,increasing glycogen storage,and lowering oxidative stress levels.The underlying mechanism may involve the activation of the AMPK/PGC-1αsignaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator sGC003F on cardiac function in mice with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into the sham operation(sham)group,transverse aortic constriction induced CHF mouse model group,model+veliciguat(Ver,3 mg·kg-1)group(positive control)and model+sGC003F(3 and 10 mg·kg-1)group.Four weeks after modeling,drugs were ig given,once a day,for 28 d.Echocardiography was used to measure the changes in cardiac function,and the myocardial hypertrophy related indexes were calculated.The levels of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-pro-BNP),N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide(NT-pro-ANP),soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC),cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)and inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and IL-1β were detected by ELISA.The pathological changes of left heart tissue were observed with HE and Masson staining.Image was used to analyze the percentage of fibrosis in cardiac tissus stained with Masson.The activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD),content of malondialdehyde(MDA)in myocardial tissue,and level of nitric oxide(NO)in serum were detected by biochemical detection kits.The protein expression levels of p-mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR),p-protein kinase B(p-Akt),TNF-α and IL-6 in cardiac tissue were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS Com-pared with the sham group,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFs)in the model group decreased significantly(P<0.01),the cardiac structure changed significantly,the percentage of myocardial fibrosis increased significantly(P<0.05),so were serum NT-pro-BNP and NT-pro-ANP levels(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the above indexes of the model+Ver group and the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group were significantly improved(P<0.05,P<0.01).The sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 group had a significant improvement in LVEF,LVFs,and NT-pro-BNP(P<0.01).Compared with the sham group,the serum levels of NO,sGC and cGMP in the model group decreased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the serum levels of NO,sGC and cGMP were significantly increased in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.01),but only serum cGMP levels were significantly increased in model+Ver and model+sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 groups(P<0.01).Compared with the sham group,the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.05,P<0.01),and only the TNF-α level was significantly decreased in the model+sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.01).Compared with the sham group,the SOD activity of the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),but the MDA content significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,SOD and MDA were significantly improved in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group(P<0.05,P<0.01),but in the model+Ver group only the SOD activity significantly increased(P<0.05).Western blotting showed that the expressions of p-mTOR,p-Akt,TNF-α and IL-6 protein in myocardial tissue of the model group were significantly higher than in the sham group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the expressions of the above proteins in the model+sGC003F 3 mg·kg-1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),so were the expressions of TNF-α protein in the model+sGC003F 10 mg·kg-1 group and model+Ver group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION sGC003F can improve cardiac function,and reduce myocardial fibrosis in CHF model mice,which may be related to the inhibition of myocardial oxidative stress and inflammation,and the regulation of NO/sGC/cGMP and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways.

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with manual reduction on pain and lumbar function in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis under the guidance of the Bone Strengthening and Tendon Softening Theory.Methods Ninety elderly patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated in our hospital from January 2021 to April 2023 were selected as study subjects.Based on a random number table method,the participants were divided into experimental group and control group,each consisting of 45 cases.The control group received acupuncture treatment,while the experimental group received manual reduction treatment on top of that.Both groups underwent continuous treatment for 4 weeks.We compared the two groups in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)score,Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lumbar function score,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),serum inflammatory factor level,and clinical efficacy between before and after treatment.Results Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in TCM syndrome scores or VAS scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,both TCM syndrome scores and VAS scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores and ODI scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,JOA scores significantly increased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly higher scores than the control group(P＜0.05).ODI scores significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group(P＜0.05).Before treatment,the two groups did not differ significantly in serum IL-6,TNF-α,or CRP levels(P＞0.05).After treatment,serum IL-6,TNF-α,and CRP levels significantly decreased in both groups,with the experimental group showing lower levels than the control group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate in the experimental group was 88.89％,significantly higher than 68.89％ in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with manual reduction guided by the Bone Straightening and Tendon Softening theory can effectively alleviate pain,improve various TCM syndromes,enhance lumbar function level,and show significant clinical efficacy in patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role and mechanisms of the soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC)stimulator sGC003 in improving high altitude pulmonary edema(HAPE)in mice.METHODS Mice were randomly assigned to a normal control group,model group,model+dexamethasone 4 mg·kg-1 group(before modeling,intragastric administration of saline was performed once daily for 6 d,followed by intragastric administration of dexamethasone 4 mg·kg-1 on days 7 and 8),model+riociguat 10 mg·kg-1 group(before modeling,intragastric administration once a day for 7 d),and model+sGC003 5 and 10 mg·kg-1 groups(before modeling,intragastric administration once a day for 7 d).All groups except the normal control group received intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide at a dose of 4 mg·kg-11 h after drug administration on day 7,followed by placement in a hypoxic environment to establish the HAPE model.After 24 h of modeling,the expiratory time,end-inspiratory pause,enhanced pause,and breathing frequency were measured,Lung tissue morphology was examined using HE staining,and lung tissue edema was assessed by determining the wet to dry weight ratio(W/D).The level of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)was determined using immunofluorescence staining.The phosphorylation level of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein(VASP)in lung tissue was analyzed by Western blotting.Additionally,levels of sGC,hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP),IL-6,and IL-1βin serum were quantified using ELISA.RESULTS Compared with the normal control group,the model group had obvious pulmonary edema,and the lung W/D,IL-1β levels,expiratory time,end-inspiratory pause,enhanced pause,as well as serum levels of IL-1β,HIF-1α and IL-6 were significantly increased.Concurrently,the frequency of breathing and serum levels of sGC and cGMP were significantly decreased.Compared with model group,the expiratory time,end-inspiratory pause,enhanced pause,lung W/D and IL-1β levels,and serum levels of IL-1β,HIF-1α and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the model+sGC003 10 mg·kg-1 group;while the frequency of breathing,serum sGC and cGMP levels,phosphorylation level of VASP in lung tissues were significantly increased.CONCLUSION sGC003 can improve lung function,suppress pulmonary inflammation,and mitigate pulmonary edema in HAPE mice by activating the sGC/cGMP pathway.

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.