The anxiolytic effects of Bai Le Mian capsule, a traditional Chinese hypnotic in mice

Bai Le Mian capsule (BLMC), which is composed of fifteen kinds of traditional Chinese Medicine, is a popular traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of insomnia with anxiety. This study was to investigate the anxiolytic effect of BLMC in mice. BLMC (81, 162, and 325 mg/kg, i.g.) was given once or consecutively for 2 weeks, and anxiety behaviors were tested by the elevated plus maze, open field, and light/dark box, in normal mice and anxious model mice by meta-chlorophenyl-piperazine, a compound with known anxiogenic actions. In normal mice, single administration of BLMC at 325 mg/kg prolonged the time spent in central area by 2.1-fold in open-field test. Repeated administration once a day for 2 weeks, BLMC at 325 mg/kg increased the time spent in central area, open arms and light box by 2.8-, 2.0-, and 1.7-fold, respectively. Similarly, in anxious model mice, single treatment of BLMC at 325 mg/kg increased more time in the open arms by 2.1-fold. Consecutive administration for 2 weeks, BLMC at 325 mg/kg increased the time spent in open arms and light box by 2.3- and 2.1-fold. Immunohistochemical study showed that mCPP increased c-Fos expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala and bed nucleus of stria terminalis by 57% and 60%, and the mCPP-induced c-Fos expression could be reversed by single administration of BLMC. These results indicate that BLMC is an effective treatment for anxiety in mice.