Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction improves sleep disorders by restoring orexin-A function in CKD mice

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Jun 27:14:1206353. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1206353. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLMD) is a well-used ancient formula originally recorded in the "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" written by the founding theorist of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Doctor Zhang Zhongjing. While it has been used extensively as a therapeutic treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as insomnia, anxiety and dementia, its mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: In order to analyze the therapeutic mechanism of CLMD in chronic renal failure and insomnia, An adenine diet-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) model was established in mice, Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of CLMD on sleep behavior and cognitive function in CKD mice, as well as the production of insomnia related regulatory proteins and inflammatory factors.

Results: CLMD significantly improved circadian rhythm and sleep disturbance in CKD mice. The insomnia related regulatory proteins, Orexin, Orexin R1, and Orexin R2 in the hypothalamus of CKD mice decreased significantly, while Orexin and its receptors increased remarkably after CLMD intervention. Following administration of CLMD, reduced neuron loss and improved learning as well as memory ability were observed in CKD mice. And CLMD intervention effectively improved the chronic inflflammatory state of CKD mice.

Discussion: Our results showed that CLMD could improve sleep and cognitive levels in CKD mice. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of Orexin-A and increased phosphorylation level of CaMKK2/AMPK, which further inhibits NF-κB downstream signaling pathways, thereby improving the disordered inflammatory state in the central and peripheral system. However, More research is required to confirm the clinical significance of the study.

Keywords: Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLMD); chronic kidney disease (CKD); inflammation; insomnia; metabolic disorders; orexin-A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Orexins
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / complications
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / drug therapy
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / drug therapy

Substances

  • chaihu-longgu-muli decoction
  • Orexins
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Chongqing medical scientific research project (Joint project of Chongqing Health Commission and Science and Technology Bureau), Clinical Study on the Mechanism of Regulating Neuroimmune Interaction by Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction to Improve CKD (grant number 2022MSXM169) and Depression and Clinical effect of Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction combined with electroacupuncture moxibustion on female over-activity of bladder with anxiety(grant number 2023MSXM168)