Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40851868›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in microbiology2025

Zhi-zi-chi decoction exerts hypnotic effect through gut-brain axis modulation in insomnia mice.

Qianqian Wang, Boyi Zhang, Zixuan Guo, Jiawei Huang, Yuanyuan Niu, Junhong Huang, Yu Huang, Dandan Guo, Baiyan Wang, Shuying Feng

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in microbiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Qianqian WangMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Boyi ZhangMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Zixuan GuoMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Jiawei HuangMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Yuanyuan NiuMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Junhong HuangMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Yu HuangMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Dandan GuoMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Baiyan WangMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Shuying FengMedical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Insomnia, a frequently encountered sleep disorder, boasts a high prevalence rate on a global scale. Currently, Western medications are widely used for its treatment; however, they may cause adverse effects such as dependence and daytime drowsiness. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a safer alternative. Zhi-zi-chi Decoction (ZZCD), composed of Methods: A PCPA-induced mice model of insomnia was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ZZCD. Behavioral tests, neurotransmitter assays, ELISA for HPA axis and inflammatory markers, 16S rDNA gut microbiota sequencing, and histological analyses of brain and colon tissues were performed. Results: ZZCD significantly improved sleep and reduced anxiety-like behavior. It restored GABA and 5-HT levels while lowering GLU and DA, normalized HPA axis activity, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and increased beneficial gut bacteria such as Conclusion: ZZCD alleviates insomnia by modulating the gut-brain axis, rebalancing neurotransmitters, and restoring microbial homeostasis. These findings support its use as a safe and effective treatment for insomnia.

Indexed as

gut-brain axisgut microbiotainsomniamedicinal and edible homologous foodZhi-zi-chi decoction

Identifiers

PMID40851868
PMCPMC12369408

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.