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Wang S, Fang R, Huang L, Zhou L, Liu H, Cai M, Sha’aban A, Yu C, Akkaif MA. Acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Complementary Approach for Cardiovascular Health. J Multidiscip Healthc 2024; 17:3459-3473. [PMID: 39050695 PMCID: PMC11268752 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s476319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are increasingly prevalent in clinical settings. With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the gradual acceleration of the pace of life, and the deterioration of the living environment in recent years, the incidence of CVDs is increasing annually. The prevalence of CVDs among individuals aged 50 and above is notably elevated, posing a significant risk to patients' well-being and lives. At this juncture, numerous clinical treatment choices are available for managing CVDs, with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy standing out as a practical, safe, and reliable option. Over the recent years, there has been growing acknowledgement among both medical professionals and patients. With the expanding integration of TCM in the treatment of various clinical conditions, the use of TCM in managing CVDs has gained significant attention within the medical community, potentially emerging as an efficacious approach for addressing cardiovascular diseases. This article conducts a comprehensive review of the TCM approach, particularly acupuncture, as a supplementary treatment for CVDs, highlighting its ability to effectively lower blood pressure, decrease coronary artery events, mitigate arrhythmias, and enhance cardiac function when used alongside conventional medication. The review underscores the promise of acupuncture in enhancing cardiovascular health, although variations in research methodologies necessitate standardized applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengfeng Wang
- Rehabilitation Department of Chinese Medicine, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruxue Fang
- Rehabilitation Department of Chinese Medicine, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Huang
- Rehabilitation Department of Chinese Medicine, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liping Zhou
- Rehabilitation Department of Chinese Medicine, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Community Health, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Haibo Liu
- Department of Cardiology, QingPu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meiling Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qingpu Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Abubakar Sha’aban
- Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Chunxiang Yu
- Rehabilitation Department of Chinese Medicine, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mohammed Ahmed Akkaif
- Department of Cardiology, QingPu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Wang Y, Wang J, Lv W, Chen H, Yang Q, Zhang Y, Guo R, Ma XL, Zhang QY. Clinical intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction on chronic heart failure complicated with depression. World J Psychiatry 2024; 14:857-865. [PMID: 38984345 PMCID: PMC11230100 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i6.857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of depression in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) is challenging, with no ideal treatment at present. AIM To analyze the clinical intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD) on CHF complicated with depression. METHODS The study cohort comprised 116 patients with CHF complicated with depression who received treatment from July 2020 to July 2023, of which 55 received Western medicine (control group) and 61 received XFZYD (research group). Data on clinical effectiveness, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, cardiac function, negative emotions, and serum inflammatory factors, were collected for comparative analyses. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the research group had an evidently higher total effective rate. Furthermore, there were marked reductions in TCM symptom score, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the research group after treatment, and these were lower than the corresponding values in the control group. Left ventricular ejection fraction was increased and higher in the research group compared with the control group after treatment. CONCLUSION Our findings conclusively proved that XFZYD was considerably superior to Western medicine for treating CHF complicated with depression because it significantly alleviated patients' symptoms, improved cardiac function, relieved negative emotions, and reduced the levels of serum inflammatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Wang Lv
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Hu Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Run Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xiao-Li Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Qian-Yu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061000, Hebei Province, China
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Li X, Dai E, Li M, Kong R, Yuan J, Li T, Wang S, Zhang Y, Kong H, Zhao Y. Aurantii fructus immaturus carbonisata-derived carbon dots and their anti-depression effect. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 10:1334083. [PMID: 38259687 PMCID: PMC10801177 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1334083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Depression is a common illness worldwide. However, the current treatments available for depression only achieve relative success, often come with several side effects, and are associated with high costs. Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) has a rich historical legacy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its traditional use as a treatment for depression. In this research, our primary objective is to examine the potential antidepressant properties and the mechanisms at play behind a particular bioactive compound found in AFI, which is referred to as carbon dots derived from AFI Carbonisata (AFIC-CDs). Methods: Extracted and isolated the AFIC-CDs from the decoction of AFIC, then characterized the morphological structure and functional groups comprehensively. We then utilized two distinct models to investigate the anti-depressive properties of AFIC-CDs: the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and the reserpine-induced pain-depression dyad model. In the CUMS model, we assessed immobile time and measured neurotransmitter levels in the mouse brain cortex. In the pain-depression dyad model, we evaluated immobile time, neurotransmitter levels, interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and the expression of mRNA of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2). Results: AFIC-CDs were found to have abundant chemical groups, and their diameter ranged from 2 to 10 nm. In the CUMS model, AFIC-CDs demonstrated significant effects. They reduced the immobile time of the mice and increased the levels of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) in the mouse brain cortex. In the pain-depression dyad model, the AFIC-CDs groups decreased the immobile time, showed effect in increasing both the neurotransmitters' levels and the expression of mRNA of BDNF and Tph2, and decreased the IL-1β and TNF-α levels in mouse brain cortex. Taken together, these results strongly indicate that AFIC-CDs possess significant antidepressant activity. Conclusion: AFIC-CDs demonstrate promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of depression, suggesting that they may become a valuable candidate for depression management. This not only extends the understanding of the biological activity of carbon dots (CDs) but also opens up new possibilities for the development of effective depression treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ertong Dai
- Qingdao Eighth People’s Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Menghan Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ruolan Kong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinye Yuan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tingjie Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuxian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Kong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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de Oliveira Rodrigues DM, Menezes PR, Machado Ribeiro Silotto AE, Heps A, Pereira Sanches NM, Schveitzer MC, Faisal-Cury A. Efficacy and Safety of Auricular Acupuncture for Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2345138. [PMID: 38032640 PMCID: PMC10690462 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.45138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and there is increasing interest in nonpharmacological treatments. Auricular acupuncture (AA) is a simple, low-cost, and well-tolerated option, but further studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety. Objective To estimate the efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture as a treatment for depression. Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized clinical trial was conducted at 4 university research centers in Brazil, from March to July 2023. Eligible patients were adults aged 18 to 50 years whose score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) indicated moderate depression (score 10-14) or moderately severe depression (score 15-19). Exclusion criteria included previous application of AA, risk of suicidal ideation, or severe depression (PHQ-9 score >20). An intent-to-treat analysis and modified intent-to-treat analysis were conducted. Intervention Participants were randomized into 2 treatment groups, which included specific AA (SA) and nonspecific AA (NSA). Both groups received 12 sessions of AA with semipermanent needles with daily stimulation twice a week over 6 weeks and were followed-up for 3 months. All participants continued with their usual care for ethical reasons. The SA group's treatment protocol consisted of 6 acupuncture points on the auricular pavilion chosen according to the diagnosis of depression by traditional Chinese medicine (Shenmen, subcortex, heart, lung, liver, and kidney). The NSA group's acupuncture points were the external ear, the cheek and face area, and 4 nonspecific points in the helix region unassociated with mental health symptoms. A locator device was used to confirm which areas had neuroreactive points. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was a reduction of at least 50% in the PHQ-9 score (ie, depression recovery) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included depression recovery at 4 and 6 weeks; depression remission (PHQ-9 score < 5) at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months); and adverse events. Results A total of 304 participants were screened, and 74 participants (62 women [84%]; median [IQR] age, 29 [23-27] years) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis, with 37 participants randomized to each group (SA and NSA). A total of 47 participants (64%) were followed-up through 3 months. The results showed no statistically significant difference in depressive recovery between the groups at 3 months (14 of 24 participants in the SA group [58%] vs 10 of 23 participants in the NSA group [43%]; risk ratio [RR], 1.34; 95% CI, 0.76-2.45; P = .38). The proportions of depression recovery and remission at 4 and 6 weeks based on the PHQ-9 were higher in the SA group (except for depression recovery at 6 weeks) with no statistically significant differences. However, a statistically significant difference was observed in symptom remission at 3 months (11 of 24 participants in the SA group [46%] vs 3 of 23 participants in the NSA group [13%]; RR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.16-3.34; P = .02) in favor of SA. There were no significant differences in adverse event rates between the groups, evidencing the intervention's safety. Most participants reported mild pain at the needle application site (33 patients [94%] in the SA group vs 32 patients [91%] in the NSA group). Five participants dropped out of the study due to adverse events. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this randomized clinical trial suggest that SA over 6 weeks is safe. Although there was no statistically significant difference between groups for the primary efficacy outcome, patients receiving SA did experience greater symptom remission at 3 months. A larger sample size and longer intervention are needed to further evaluate the efficacy of SA for depression. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05855421.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Maurício de Oliveira Rodrigues
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Palhoça, Brazil
- Department of Health Sciences, Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo Rossi Menezes
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Elise Machado Ribeiro Silotto
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Palhoça, Brazil
| | - Artur Heps
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Cabral Schveitzer
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Faisal-Cury
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Wei C, Wang J, Yu J, Tang Q, Liu X, Zhang Y, Cui D, Zhu Y, Mei Y, Wang Y, Wang W. Therapy of traumatic brain injury by modern agents and traditional Chinese medicine. Chin Med 2023; 18:25. [PMID: 36906602 PMCID: PMC10008617 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00731-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of disability and death, and the social burden of mortality and morbidity caused by TBI is significant. Under the influence of comprehensive factors, such as social environment, lifestyle, and employment type, the incidence of TBI continues to increase annually. Current pharmacotherapy of TBI mainly focuses on symptomatic supportive treatment, aiming to reduce intracranial pressure, ease pain, alleviate irritability, and fight infection. In this study, we summarized numerous studies covering the use of neuroprotective agents in different animal models and clinical trials after TBI. However, we found that no drug has been approved as specifically effective for the treatment of TBI. Effective therapeutic strategies for TBI remain an urgent need, and attention is turning toward traditional Chinese medicine. We analyzed the reasons why existing high-profile drugs had failed to show clinical benefits and offered our views on the research of traditional herbal medicine for treating TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunzhu Wei
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingbo Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jintao Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Tang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinjie Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanlong Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dandan Cui
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqiong Zhu
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanli Mei
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanjun Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Wenzhu Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Kou Y, Li Z, Yang T, Shen X, Wang X, Li H, Zhou K, Li L, Xia Z, Zheng X, Zhao Y. Therapeutic potential of plant iridoids in depression: a review. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 60:2167-2181. [PMID: 36300881 PMCID: PMC9621214 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2136206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Depression is a mental disorder characterized by low mood, reduced interest, impaired cognitive function, and vegetative symptoms such as sleep disturbances or poor appetite. Iridoids are the active constituents in several Chinese classical antidepressant formulae such as Yueju Pill, Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po Decoction, Zhi-Zi-Chi Decoction, and Baihe Dihuang Decoction. Parallel to their wide usages, iridoids are considered potential lead compounds for the treatment of neurological diseases. OBJECTIVE The review summarizes the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms of iridoids in the prevention or treatment of depression and contributes to identifying research gaps in iridoids as potential antidepressant medication. METHODS The following key phrases were sought in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) without time limitation to search all relevant articles with in vivo or in vitro experimental studies as comprehensively as possible: ('iridoid' or 'seciridoid' or 'depression'). This review extracted the experimental data on the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanism of plant-derived iridoids for depression. RESULTS Plant iridoids (i.e., catalpol, geniposide, loganin), and secoiridoids (i.e., morroniside, gentiopicroside, oleuropein, swertiamarin), all showed significant improvement effects on depression. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Iridoids exert antidepressant effects by elevating monoamine neurotransmitters, reducing pro-inflammatory factors, inhibiting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptors, and elevating intestinal microbial abundance. Further detailed studies on the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and key molecular targets of iridoids are also required in future research, ultimately to provide improvements to current antidepressant medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Kou
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Zhihao Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Tong Yang
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Xue Shen
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Haopeng Li
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Luyao Li
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Zhaodi Xia
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Ye Zhao
- Three level Scientific Research Laboratory of National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, PR China
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