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Heesbeen EJ, van Kampen T, Verdouw PM, van Lissa C, Bijlsma EY, Groenink L. The effect of SSRIs on unconditioned anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1731-1755. [PMID: 38980348 PMCID: PMC11339141 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06645-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first choice of treatment for anxiety-like disorders. However, which aspects of anxiety are affected by SSRIs is not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE We aimed to systematically review the effect of six clinically effective SSRIs on four aspects of unconditioned anxiety: approach-avoidance behaviour (elevated plus maze), repetitive behaviour (marble burying), distress behaviour (ultrasonic vocalization), and activation of the autonomous nervous system (stress-induced hyperthermia). METHODS We identified publications by searching Medline and Embase databases and assessed the risk of bias. A random effects meta-analysis was performed and moderator effects were analysed with Bayesian penalized meta-regression. RESULTS Our search yielded 105 elevated plus maze, 63 marble burying, 11 ultrasonic vocalization, and 7 stress-induced hyperthermia articles. Meta-analysis suggested that SSRIs reduce anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze, marble burying and ultrasonic vocalization test and that effects are moderated by pre-existing stress conditions (elevated plus maze) and dose dependency (marble burying) but not by duration of treatment or type of SSRI. The reporting quality was low, publication bias was likely, and heterogeneity was high. CONCLUSION SSRIs seem to reduce a broad range of unconditioned anxiety-associated behaviours. These results should be interpreted with caution due to a high risk of bias, likely occurrence of publication bias, substantial heterogeneity and limited moderator data availability. Our review demonstrates the importance of including bias assessments when interpreting meta-analysis results. We further recommend improving the reporting quality, the conduct of animal research, and the publication of all results regardless of significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise J Heesbeen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tatum van Kampen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - P Monika Verdouw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caspar van Lissa
- Department of Methodology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Y Bijlsma
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lucianne Groenink
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Zhang J, Ming S, Chen X, Zhang T, Qian H, Peng S, Ding Y. Herbal medicine as adjunctive therapy with antidepressants for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1180071. [PMID: 37521479 PMCID: PMC10382276 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1180071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Herbal medicine can provide adjunctive therapy for adults with post-stroke depression. This study summarizes the latest evidence regarding the harms and benefits of herbal antidepressants. Methods: The literature searched from the Cochrane Library (using the OVID platform), Embase, PubMed, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and the China Scientific Journal Database (VIP) from their inception to 18 August 2021, for randomized controlled trials of herbal medicine in adults with post-stroke depression, were included in this systematic review and network meta-analysis. The search was updated on 1 December 2022. To summarize the evidence, the frequentist random-effect network meta-analyses were conducted. To categorize interventions, rate the certainty of the evidence, and present the findings, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) frameworks were carried out. The registration number of this study on PROSPERO website is CRD 42021273956. Findings: Of 1132 citations identified from the search, 51 randomized clinical trials, totaling 4,507 participants, met the inclusion criteria for this study. For response rate, Shugan Jieyu capsule (SJC) plus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), Jie-Yu Pills plus SSRI, and Wuling capsule plus SSRI were shown to be among the most effective with moderate certainty of evidence (RR: 1·45, 95%CI: 1·23 to 1·7; RR: 1·35, 95%CI: 1·09 to 1·68; RR: 1·32, 95%CI: 1·09 to 1·59). In terms of mean changes in Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score after the completion of treatment, Wuling capsule plus Hypericum and Wuling capsule plus SSRI were found to be among the most effective in reducing symptoms of depression with moderate certainty of evidence (MD: 10·12, 95%CI: -17·25 to -2·99; MD: -3·81, 95%CI: -6·19 to -1·42). The network meta-analysis (NMA) showed that SJC may be a safer intervention than SSRI in terms of both total gastrointestinal and total nervous system events with moderate certainty of evidence (RR:0.34, 95%CI:0.18, 0.62 and RR: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.35, respectively). Interpretation: SJC plus SSRI, Jie-Yu Pills plus SSRI, and Wuling capsule plus SSRI were among the most effective in terms of HAMD score reduction response rates. Low to very low certainty of evidence revealed no increased risk of gastrointestinal and nervous system events. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=273956; Identifier: CRD42021273956.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Department of Encephalopathy, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Hubei Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuping Ming
- First Clinical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- Department of Encephalopathy, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Hubei Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Department of Encephalopathy, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Hubei Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongyu Qian
- Department of Encephalopathy, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Hubei Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Shixiong Peng
- First Clinical College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yanbing Ding
- Department of Encephalopathy, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Hubei Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Wuhan, China
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3
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Chen J, Lei C, Li X, Wu Q, Liu C, Ma Q, Chen J. Research progress on classical traditional chinese medicine formula xiaoyaosan in the treatment of depression. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:925514. [PMID: 35991880 PMCID: PMC9386002 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.925514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is an emotional disorder that is problematic in psychiatry owing to its unclear etiology and unknown pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese medicine formulations such as Xiaoyaosan have been widely used throughout history to treat depression. In this review, we have focused on recent evidences elucidating the links between Xiaoyaosan and the treatment of depression. Data from animal and clinical studies, focusing on the pharmacological mechanisms, clinical applications, and effective materials that form the basis for the treatment of depression are presented and discussed. We found that the antidepressant effects of Xiaoyaosan are related to the effects of monoamine neurotransmitters, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neuroplasticity, synaptic plasticity, inflammatory response, neuroprotection, brain-gut axis, regulation of intestinal microbiota, oxidative stress, and autophagy for reducing neuronal apoptosis. This review highlights the current evidence supporting the use of Xiaoyaosan as an antidepressant and provides an overview of the potential mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbei Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chaofang Lei
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Formula-pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chenyue Liu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingyu Ma
- Formula-pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxu Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Formula-pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jiaxu Chen,
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Li XJ, Ma QY, Jiang YM, Bai XH, Yan ZY, Liu Q, Pan QX, Liu YY, Chen JX. Xiaoyaosan exerts anxiolytic-like effects by down-regulating the TNF-α/JAK2-STAT3 pathway in the rat hippocampus. Sci Rep 2017; 7:353. [PMID: 28336920 PMCID: PMC5428435 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00496-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the anxiolytic-like effects of Xiaoyaosan, a Chinese herbal formula, have been described in many previous studies, its underlying mechanism remains undefined. The cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and its closely associated janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) signalling pathway regulate the neuro-inflammatory response in the brain, thus participating in the development of anxiety. Our purpose was to investigate whether the anxiolytic-like effects of Xiaoyaosan are related to the TNF-α/JAK2-STAT3 pathway in the hippocampus. We examined the effects of Xiaoyaosan on behaviours exhibited in the elevated plus maze test, open field test and novelty-suppressed feeding test as well as hippocampal neuron damage and changes in the TNF-α/JAK2-STAT3 pathway in a rat model of chronic immobilization stress (CIS)-induced anxiety. Xiaoyaosan exerts anxiolytic-like effects on CIS-induced anxiety, with a significant alleviation of anxiety-like behaviours, an attenuation of hippocampal neuron damage, and a reversal of the activation of the TNF-α/JAK2-STAT3 pathway in the hippocampus that are similar to the effects of the JAK2 antagonist AG490. However, Xiaoyaosan and AG490 failed to effectively regulate apoptosis-related factors, including Bax and Caspase-3. These results suggest that Xiaoyaosan attenuates stress-induced anxiety behaviours by down-regulating the TNF-α/JAK2-STAT3 pathway in the rat hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Juan Li
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qing-Yu Ma
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - You-Ming Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Bai
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhi-Yi Yan
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qun Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qiu-Xia Pan
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yue-Yun Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jia-Xu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Zhao HB, Jiang YM, Li XJ, Liu YY, Bai XH, Li N, Chen JX, Liu Q, Yan ZY, Zhao FZ. Xiao Yao San Improves the Anxiety-Like Behaviors of Rats Induced by Chronic Immobilization Stress: The Involvement of the JNK Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampus. Biol Pharm Bull 2017; 40:187-194. [PMID: 28154259 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b16-00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The current study evaluated the effects of Xiao Yao San (XYS) on anxiety-like behaviors and sought to determine whether the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is involved. A total of 40 rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8): the control group (deionized water, per os (p.o.)), the model group (deionized water, p.o.), the SP600125 group (surgery), the per se group (surgery), and the XYS group (3.9 g/kg/d, p.o.). A 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) citrate buffer solution (2 µL/ventricle/d) and SP600125 (10 µg/ventricle, 2 µL/ventricle/d) were separately and bilaterally injected into the rats of the two surgery groups via the ventricular system of the brain. All but the control group underwent 14 d of chronic immobilization stress (CIS; 3 h/d). On day 15, the body weights of all of the rats were measured; additionally, the rats were subjected to the elevated plus maze (EPM) and novelty suppressed feeding (NSF) tests. Finally, JNK signaling pathway indices, including phosphorylated JNK (P-JNK), JNK, phosphorylated c-Jun (P-c-Jun) and cytochrome C (Cyt-C), were examined. After modeling, the body weight and behavioral analyses of the model rats indicated that this modeling method induced anxiety-like behaviors. P-JNK, JNK, and P-c-Jun were altered in the hippocampus of the model rats. After 14 d of treatment with XYS and SP600125, rat body weight and behaviors as well as P-JNK, JNK, and P-c-Jun had changed. However, no significant difference in Cyt-C was found. XYS improves the anxiety-like behaviors induced by CIS, which might be related to the JNK signaling pathway in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bo Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
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Feng DD, Tang T, Lin XP, Yang ZY, Yang S, Xia ZA, Wang Y, Zheng P, Wang Y, Zhang CH. Nine traditional Chinese herbal formulas for the treatment of depression: an ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2016; 12:2387-2402. [PMID: 27703356 PMCID: PMC5036551 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s114560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a major mental disorder, and is currently recognized as the second-leading cause of disability worldwide. However, the therapeutic effect of antidepressants remains unsatisfactory. For centuries, Chinese herbal formulas (CHFs) have been widely used in the treatment of depression, achieving better therapeutic effects than placebo and having fewer side effects than conventional antidepressants. Here, we review the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology studies of nine common CHFs: "banxia houpo" decoction, "chaihu shugansan", "ganmaidazao" decoction, "kaixinsan", "shuganjieyu" capsules, "sinisan", "wuling" capsules, "xiaoyaosan", and "yueju". Eight clinical trials and seven meta-analyses have supported the theory that CHFs are effective treatments for depression, decreasing Hamilton Depression Scale scores and showing few adverse effects. Evidence from 75 preclinical studies has also elucidated the multitarget and multipathway mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effect of the nine CHFs. Decoctions, capsules, and pills all showed antidepressant effects, ranked in descending order of efficacy. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, these CHFs have flexible compatibility and mainly act by soothing the liver and relieving depression. This review highlights the effective treatment choices and candidate compounds for patients, practitioners, and researchers in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. In summary, the current evidence supports the efficacy of CHFs in the treatment of depression, but additional large-scale randomized controlled clinical trials and sophisticated pharmacology studies should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Dan Feng
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Tang
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Ping Lin
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Yu Yang
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Yang
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-An Xia
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Wang
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Piao Zheng
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Wang
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Hu Zhang
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
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Liu LY, Feng B, Chen J, Tan QR, Chen ZX, Chen WS, Wang PR, Zhang ZJ. Herbal medicine for hospitalized patients with severe depressive episode: a retrospective controlled study. J Affect Disord 2015; 170:71-7. [PMID: 25233242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Herbal medicine is increasingly used in depressed patients. The purpose of this retrospective controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine treatment of severe depressive episode. A total of 146 severely depressed subjects were selected from patients who were admitted to the Department of Psychosomatics of Tongde Hospital at Hangzhou, China between 1st September 2009 and 30th November 2013. While all were medicated with psychotropic drugs, 78 received additional individualized herbal medicine. The severity of depressive symptoms was measured using 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) at admission and thereafter once weekly during hospital stay. The proportion of patients achieving clinical response and remission and incidence of adverse events were compared. The two groups had similar average length of hospital stay for approximately 28 days and were not different in the use of psychotropic medications. Survival analysis revealed that patients with herbal medicine had significantly higher chance of achieving clinical response [relative risk (RR)=2.179, P<0.001] and remission (RR=5.866, P<0.001) compared to those without herbal medicine. Patients with herbal medicine experienced remarkably fewer incidences of physical tiredness, headache, palpitation, dry mouth and constipation, but had a significantly higher incidence of digestive discomfort compared to patients without herbal medicine. These results indicate that additional treatment with individualized herbal medicine enhances antidepressant response and reduces certain side effects associated with psychotropic medications. Herbal medicine is an effective and relatively safe therapy for severe depressive episode (Trial Registration: ChiCTR-OCH-13003864).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Ying Liu
- Department of Psychosomatics, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Feng
- Department of Psychosomatics, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jiong Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing-Rong Tan
- Department of Psychiatry, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi׳an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zheng-Xin Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wen-Song Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pei-Rong Wang
- Department of Psychosomatics, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhang-Jin Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
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Park HJ, Shim HS, Chung SY, Lee TH, Shim I. Soyo-san reduces depressive-like behavior and proinflammatory cytokines in ovariectomized female rats. Altern Ther Health Med 2014; 14:34. [PMID: 24444307 PMCID: PMC3909930 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Soyo-san is a traditional oriental medicinal formula, a mixture of 9 crude drugs, and it has been clinically used for treating mild depressive disorders. The role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in psychiatric disorders has been the focus of great research attention in recent years. In the present study, we detected the antidepressant effect of soyo-san in the ovariectomized and repeated stressed female rats. Methods This study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of soyo-san on the forced swimming test (FST). The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: the nonoperated and nonstressed group (non-op), the nonoperated and stressed group (non-op + ST), the ovariectomized and stress group (OVX) and sham operated and stressed group (sham), the ovariectomized and stressed group (OVX + ST), the ovariectomized, stressed and soyo-san 100 mg/kg treated group (SOY100) and the ovariectomized, stressed and soyo-san 400 mg/kg treated group (SOY400). The rats were exposed to immobilization stress (IMO) for 14day (2 h/14day), and soyo-san (100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) was administrated during the same time. In the same animals, the levels of corticosterone and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) were examined in the serum. Also, the change of IL-1β expression in brain regions was examined after behavior test. Results In the FST, the lower dose (100 mg/kg) of extract was effective in reducing immobility, along with an increase in swimming time. The serum levels of corticosterone and IL-1β in the SOY groups were significantly lower than those in the control group. In the brain, the expression of IL-1β positive neurons in the control group were significantly increased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and hippocampus compared to the non-op. However, soyo-san groups significantly reduced the IL-1β-ir neurons in the PVN and hippocampal regions compared to the control. Conclusion The present results demonstrated that soyo-san effectively reduced behavioral and patho-physiological depression-like responses. Trial registration: Our results suggest that soyo-san may be useful for immune regulator in repeated stress-induced ovariectomized female rats.
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