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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.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|August 11, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

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.
Keywords:
5-HTGut-Brain AxisHPA axisInsomniaOstreae Concha

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