Researchers have identified an oral compound, Mic-628, that can effectively advance the circadian clock in mice by targeting a key genetic pathway associated with circadian rhythms. This discovery could provide a more reliable method to alleviate the effects of jet lag or shift work.
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Circadian rhythms govern numerous physiological processes such as sleep, alertness, hormone release, metabolism, and body temperature. Disruptions to this 24-hour internal clock—caused by late-night flights, all-nighters, or sudden work schedule changes—can lead to jet lag or misalignment during shift work, resulting in insomnia, daytime fatigue, and decreased performance.
Typically, light serves as the primary regulator for resetting circadian rhythms, which is why therapies incorporating bright light and melatonin are recommended; however, these methods can be complicated to implement and vary in effectiveness.
Researchers from the University of Osaka, Kanazawa University, Toyohashi University of Technology, and the Institute of Science Tokyo have introduced Mic-628 as a potential solution. Unlike light exposure or melatonin, which require precise timing, Mic-628 successfully shifts the body's internal clock forward regardless of when it is administered.
In laboratory experiments with mice, a single dose of Mic-628 reduced the time needed to adjust to new circadian times from seven days to just four. This consistent and directed advancement could significantly aid those facing difficult adjustments, such as eastward travel or night shifts.
The researchers regard Mic-628 as a prototype for a new class of “smart drugs” aimed at managing circadian misalignment disorders. Additional studies involving both animals and humans are planned to further investigate the compound's safety and effectiveness.
The research findings were published on January 23, 2026, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.