Objective:To study the effect of Huanglian Ejiao decoction on serotonin(5-HT) and γ-aminobutyric acid content of p-chlorophenylatanine(PCPA) induced insomnia model in mice. Method: Normal group and model group were given saline solution; positive group was given Tianwang Buxin suspension 1.5 g·kg-1; medicine group was given Huanglian Ejiao decoction 5 g·kg-1; dosing volume was 10 mL·kg-1 and cycle was one week. Then positive

medicine and model groups were intraperitoneally injected PCPA 350 mg·kg-1 with dosing volume of 20 mL·kg-1

and normal group was given same volume of saline solution all for 2 days. The contents of 5-HT and γ-aminobutyric acid were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Result: The contents of 5-HT and γ-aminobutyric acid in medicine

normal

model and positive group were (89.12±5.81) pg·mg-1

(13.72±1.83) μmol·L-1; (116.08±8.36) pg·mg-1

(12.01 ±0.66)μmol·L-1; (68.45±17.63) pg·mg-1

(16.13±2.26) μmol·L-1; (98.08±4.11) pg·mg-1

(14.17±2.17) μmol·L-1.Compared with normal group and model group

5-HT and γ-aminobutyric acid content in treatment groups showed significant differences. Compared with positive group

only 5-HT content of treatment groupindicated significant difference. Conclusion: Huanglian Ejiao decoction could reverse PCPA induced insomnia

improve the content of neurotransmitters in the brain

and provide experimental basis for the treatment of insomnia by Huanglian Ejiao decoction.