Effect of Heweianshen Decoction on Orexin-A and Cholecystokinin-8 Expression in Rat Models of Insomnia.

Objective. To study the effect of Heweianshen decoction (HAD) on orexin-A and cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) expression in rat models of insomnia caused by injecting parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) intraperitoneally. Methods. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (10 rats in each group): blank group, model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose HAD-treated groups. A rat model of insomnia was established by injecting intraperitoneally with PCPA (300 mg/kg body weight). Rats were given normal saline (10 mL/kg) or 5.25, 10.5, and 21 g/kg HAD by intragastric administration once a day for 6 days. After that, the rats were sacrificed to collect the hypothalamus for tests, using radioimmunoassay to detect the expression of orexin-A and CCK-8. Results. Heweianshen decoction reduced the expression of orexin-A and increased the expression of CCK-8 in the hypothalamus of rat model of insomnia. Conclusion. The therapeutic effect of HAD on insomnia is partially attributed to the decreased expression of orexin-A and increased expression of CCK-8.