Meta-analysis of the clinical effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine formula Chaihu-Shugan-San in depression

Wang, Yang; Fan, Rong; Huang, Xi

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.08.079

Cited by 88 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Each of these focused on a specific aspect: trials in the Chinese literature [21], trials of the specific herbal formulae Xiao Yao San [22, 23], Free and Easy Wanderer Plus (a modified version of Xiao Yao San) [24], and Chaihu-Shugan-San [25], and trials of Chinese herbs as adjunctive treatment [26]. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Depression: The Research Evidence

Butler

Pilkington

2013

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Background. Alternative approaches for managing depression are often sought and herbal mixtures are widely used in China. The aim of this paper was to provide an overall picture of the current evidence by analysing published systematic reviews and presenting a supplementary systematic review of trials in Western databases. Methods. Searches were conducted using AMED, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, and trial registers. Results were screened and selected trials were evaluated by two reviewers working independently. Systematic reviews were identified and assessed using key criteria. Results. Five systematic reviews were located addressing the Chinese literature, adjunctive use of Chinese herbs, and the formulae Chaihu-Shugan-San, Xiao Yao San, and Free and Easy Wanderer Plus. The supplementary review located 8 trials, 3 of which were not included in previous reviews. Positive results were reported: no significant differences from medication, greater effect than medication or placebo, reduced adverse event rates when combined or compared with antidepressants. However, limitations in methodology and reporting were revealed. Conclusions. Despite promising results, particularly for Xiao Yao San and its modifications, the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in depression could not be fully substantiated based on current evidence. Further well-designed, well-reported trials that reflect practice may be worth pursuing.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Depression: The Research Evidence

Butler

Pilkington

2013

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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“…With fewer side effects, medical food and natural medicines, including Chaihu-Shugan-San, Echium amoenum, Crocus sativu L., and Hypericum perforatum, have been introduced for the treatment of depression. [11][12][13][14] Currently, herbal therapies and medical foods provide prospective alternative/complementary strategies for the treatment of depression. Maca (Lepidium meyenii), a plant that grows indigenously at an altitude of more than 4000 m in the central Peruvian Andes, 15 is believed to have great benefits for the treatment of depression.…”

Section: Introduction Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antidepressant-Like Behavioral, Anatomical, and Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract from Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Mice Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress

Cheng

et al. 2014

Journal of Medicinal Food

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Maca has been consumed as a medical food in Peru for thousands of years, and exerts anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Our present study aimed to evaluate the behavior and anatomical and biochemical effects of petroleum ether extract from maca (ME) in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression in mice. Three different doses of maca extract (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) were orally administrated in the six-week CUMS procedure. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) was used as a positive control drug. Maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in the tail suspension test. After treatment with maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg), the granule cell layer in the dentate gyrus appeared thicker. Maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) also induced a significant reduction in corticosterone levels in mouse serum. In mouse brain tissue, after six weeks of treatment, noradrenaline and dopamine levels were increased by maca extract, and the activity of reactive oxygen species was significantly inhibited. Serotonin levels were not significantly altered. These results demonstrated that maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) showed antidepressant-like effects and was related to the activation of both noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems, as well as attenuation of oxidative stress in mouse brain.

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“…Chemically, the constituents of CSS are complex and include monoterpene glycosides, galloyl glucoses, phenolic compounds, lactones, flavonoids, and triterpene saponins [9], [10], [11], [12], [13]. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), CSS is used to treat a wide variety of symptoms caused by liver qi stagnation, including perimenopausal anxiety and depression [14], [15], [16]. For a long time, CSS has been used as an alternative therapy for treating anxiety and depression [14], [15], [16] and perimenopausal psychological symptoms [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), CSS is used to treat a wide variety of symptoms caused by liver qi stagnation, including perimenopausal anxiety and depression [14], [15], [16]. For a long time, CSS has been used as an alternative therapy for treating anxiety and depression [14], [15], [16] and perimenopausal psychological symptoms [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chaihu-Shugan-San Administration Ameliorates Perimenopausal Anxiety and Depression in Rats

et al. 2013

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Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula that is widely used for treating perimenopausal symptoms in China; however, its mechanisms remain unknown. The present study was designed to investigate potential CSS mechanisms in rats with unpredicted chronic mild stress (UCMS) and normally aging rats (52 weeks of age). We performed the sucrose consumption test along with the forced swimming test to confirm depression-like behavior and the open field test (OFT) to confirm anxiety-like behavior in the animals. In addition, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum and hippocampal estradiol (E2) levels and a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to assess hippocampal mRNA levels of estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β as well as G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30). We found that CSS administration resulted in a significant increase in the ratio of hippocampal ERα and ERβ mRNA (ERα/ERβ ratio) in UCMS rats (p<0.001). However, no significant changes were observed in E2 levels, ERα mRNA expression, and GPR30 mRNA expression. In contrast, changes in ERα/ERβ mRNA ratio were sensitively associated with changes in mood states in the animal models. These findings suggest that enhancement of ERα/ERβ ratio may play a role in the pharmacological mechanisms of CSS. Furthermore, this ratio can be employed as a potential index for evaluating mood states in animal models and can be considered as a therapeutic target for perimenopausal anxiety and depression in the future.

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Meta-analysis of the clinical effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine formula Chaihu-Shugan-San in depression

Cited by 88 publications

References 29 publications

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Depression: The Research Evidence

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Depression: The Research Evidence

Antidepressant-Like Behavioral, Anatomical, and Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract from Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Mice Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress

Chaihu-Shugan-San Administration Ameliorates Perimenopausal Anxiety and Depression in Rats

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