ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of Jiaotai Pills ( JP) on hypothalamic neurotransmitters of Orexin A and gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA) in rapid eye movement ( REM) sleep deprivation rats. Methods Rat model of REM-sleep deprivation was established by water small platform method. The rats were randomized into 6 groups, namely normal control group, model group, Diazepam group (3 mg/kg), and high-, medium-and low-dose JP groups ( JP in the dosage of 18.6, 9.3 and 4.6 g/kg respectively) . Enzyme-labeled instrument was used to detect the absorbance ratio of rat hypothalamic Orexin A content, and high performance liquid phase electrochemical detection method was adopted for the detection of hypothalamic GABA content. Results Compared with the normal control group, all of the rats in the model group suffered from insomnia, and the Orexin A content was increased ( P0.05) . Conclusion The sedative and hypnic mechanism of JP is probably related with the inhibition of hypothalamic Orexin A.