journal article·2025-11-12

Telocytes Mediating the Effects of GABA-Herbal Medicine Composite on Insomnia

Zhenwei Zhang, Yeping Shi, Lu Mei, Yifan Luo, Yitong Xing, Zeqi Zhang, Chuxin Li, Chunxia Han, Pingshun Yang, Qiusheng Chen

Microscopy and Microanalysis· Volume 31· Issue 6
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Abstract

Abstract Insomnia is one of the main manifestations of subhealth, a condition that has become increasingly prevalent and seriously affects the physical and mental well-being of many individuals. This study aims to investigate the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-herbal medicine composite (GABA-HMC) on sleep in both healthy and insomnia-plagued rats. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the Du Meridian, situated along the dorsal midline fascia of the body, plays a crucial role in regulating neuropsychiatric disorders, such as insomnia. Recent reports morphologically confirmed that telocytes (TCs) are the key cells of meridian essence. In this experiment, we developed GABA-HMC containing GABA, valerian oil, Hypericum perforatum extract, and ginseng extract. We applied it to the Du Meridian of healthy and insomnia rats and observed the changes in TCs. The results showed that treatment with GABA-HMC significantly increased serotonin content, alleviating insomnia and improving sleep quality. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further revealed that the application of the cream increased the number of TCs in the subcutaneous fascia, elongated telopodes, and enhanced cell junctions. These results suggest that TCs are the key effector cells of GABA-HMC, providing valuable insights into potential novel approaches for treating insomnia.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: GABA and Rice Research · Ziziphus Jujuba Studies and Applications · Sleep and related disorders

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University , No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095 ,

R&D Department, Shenzhen Rongda Biotechnology Co., Ltd. , No. 4080 Qiaoxiang Road Shahe Street, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000 ,

R&D Department, Dongguan Rongda Biotechnology Co., Ltd. , No. 13 Hualian Street, Songshanhu Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808 ,

R&D Department, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Natural Plant-Derived Lead Compounds for Cosmetics , No. 4080 Qiaoxiang Road Shahe Street, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000 ,

Funding

Nanjing Agricultural University

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