Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Effect of Songyu Anshen Fang on expression of hypothalamic GABA and GABA(B) receptor proteins in insomniac rats induced by para-chlorophenylalanine

Xueai Zeng , Junshan Huang, Chunquan Zhou, Xiufeng Wang, Yu Zhang, Yifan Zhang

Fujian Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Key Laboratory of Sleep Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian 350003, China;

For correspondence:- Xueai Zeng Email: z_xa1010@163.com

Accepted: 12 October 2017 Published: 31 January 2018

Citation: Zeng X, Huang J, Zhou C, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang Y. Effect of Songyu Anshen Fang on expression of hypothalamic GABA and GABA(B) receptor proteins in insomniac rats induced by para-chlorophenylalanine. Trop J Pharm Res 2018; 17(1):17-22 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i1.3

© 2018 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effects of the Chinese compound, Songyu Anshen Fang (SYF) on levels of GABA and GABA(B) receptor proteins in insomniac rats induced by para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA).

Methods: All rats were randomly separated into either a control group, insomnia group, or a SYF group (at a dose of 8.5 g/kg or 17 g/kg body weight per day). The rat model of insomnia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of PCPA, and SYF was administered intragastrically in suspension. All experimental groups were treated with a corresponding agent for one week. The levels of glutamic acid (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); mRNA and protein expressions, and GABA(B) receptor levels were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot.

Results: SYF treatment with 8.5 or 17 g/kg/day decreased the levels of Glu and Glu/GABA ratios in the hypothalamus following abnormal increase by PCPA. Moreover, GABA(B) receptor, mRNA and protein expression decreased by PCPA in hypothalamus were significantly normalized by SYF.

Conclusion: The study indicates that the effects of PCPA-induced insomnia can be alleviated by SYF modulation of neurotransmitter levels and the expression of GABA(B) receptor in the hypothalamus. This suggests that clinical application of SYF to treat insomnia may be feasible

Keywords: Songyu Anshen Fang, Para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), ^7;-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), GABA(B) receptor, Insomnia