Calming effect of traditional Chinese medicine cinnabar based on neurotransmitter content and metal elements concentration in PCPA-induced insomnia rats

Introduction: Cinnabar is a commonly utilized mineral traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China. It has the functions of clearing the heart and calming the mind. However, there remains a dearth of pharmacological experiments on the metal elements of cinnabar on animal models. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of cinnabar on neurotransmitter levels in p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) induced insomnia rats and the content of metal elements in plasma, heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of rats. Methods: Tissue hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were used to assess the histological changes. The 5-HT and GABA in plasma and hypothalamus of rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent to evaluate the therapeutic effect. The content of metal elements in plasma, heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of rats was determined by ICP-MS. Results: After cured with cinnabar and its processed for fourteen days, the level of 5-HT in the plasma and hypothalamus increased (P