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Ostreae Concha Extract Mitigates Sleep Disturbances Through 5-HT and Vagus Nerve-Mediated Gut-Brain Axis Pathways
Feng Lu1, Qinyu Wang1, Qian Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
Ostreae Concha (OC), derived from oyster shells, demonstrates sedative and hypnotic effects by enhancing serotonin (5-HT) and regulating the HPA axis. This traditional remedy offers a novel, sustainable approach to improving sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Neuroscience
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ostreae Concha (OC), a component of traditional Chinese medicine derived from oyster shells, is traditionally used for insomnia.
- The precise mechanism underlying OC's sleep-promoting effects remains to be elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Ostreae Concha (OC) in alleviating chronic insomnia.
- To explore the role of OC's inorganic components in neurotransmitter regulation and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of a chronic insomnia mouse model.
- Assessment using behavioral tests, Nissl staining, biochemical assays, immunofluorescence, and ELISA.
- In vitro experiments to analyze the effects of OC's inorganic components on protein expression related to 5-HT synthesis.
Main Results:
- OC administration improved locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors in a mouse model.
- OC increased hippocampal Nissl bodies and modulated neurotransmitter levels, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and stress hormones (ACTH, CORT).
- In vitro studies indicated that OC's inorganic components promote 5-HT synthesis independently of calcium channels, suggesting nanoparticle formation and vagus nerve signaling.
Conclusions:
- OC exerts sedative and hypnotic effects by modulating the 5-HT system and HPA axis, validating its traditional use.
- A novel mechanism involving OC-derived nanoparticles stimulating intestinal cells to release 5-HT via the vagus nerve was proposed.
- OC represents a sustainable, high-value utilization of aquaculture waste for developing sleep-improving products.
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