Research Progress of the Liver–Brain Cotreatment of Depression with Supplemented Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in preventing and treating depression based on holistic concepts and syndrome differentiation and treatment. Liver depression and spleen deficiency are the main syndrome of depression. Danzhi Xiaoyao powder has the efficacy of soothing the liver and relieving depression, nourishing blood, and strengthening spleen. Present studies have proven that it has antidepressant efficacy for the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency. The basic research on pharmacodynamic substances has found that the main active ingredients of Danzhi Xiaoyao powder in the treatment of depression include bupleurum saponin, paeonol, gardenoside, angelica polysaccharide, sulfate polysaccharide, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, atractylone, etc. In clinical practice, Danzhi Xiaoyao powder is often modified to make it more suitable according to the characteristics of pathogenesis and changes in the disease condition. Our research group has found that “brain and spirit failure and liver failing to disperse” are the main pathogenesis of depression. Based on the theory of “liver–brain cotreatment,” the treatment principle of “dispersing the liver and relieving depression, strengthening brain and benefiting intelligence” was put forward. On the basis of Danzhi Xiaoyao powder, Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) was added to enlighten the mind and Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) to calm the mind and benefit intelligence. The modified Danzhi Xiaoyao powder was formulated, and its clinical effects on depression were remarkable. Animal experiments also confirmed that modified Danzhi Xiaoyao powder can significantly improve the depression-like behavior of depression model rats and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, the increase of the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine, and norepinephrine, which provides a reference for the further promotion of the clinical application of modified Danzhi Xiaoyao powder in the treatment of depression.

The effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine on suicidal behavior: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis

“…As a result, 2 case reports, [25,26] 3 studies with no suicide-related outcomes, [27–29] 1 study using herbal injections, [30] and 1 study using the same HM in the treatment and control groups [31] were excluded. Finally, 13 articles [32–44] were included in this review (Fig. 1).…”

“…All studies included in this review [32–44] were published between 2005 and 2019 and were RCTs; no CCTs or before-after study designs were included. Of the included studies, 7 [33–35,38,39,41,43] were published in journals; 5 [32,37,40,42,44] were theses; and one [36] was a conference proceeding abstract. All included studies were conducted in China, with most [32–44] published there.…”

“…Of the included studies, 7 [33–35,38,39,41,43] were published in journals; 5 [32,37,40,42,44] were theses; and one [36] was a conference proceeding abstract. All included studies were conducted in China, with most [32–44] published there. With the exception of 2 3-arm RCTs, [34,40] the remaining studies [32,33,35–39,41–44] were 2-arm RCTs.…”

Synergistic antidepressant effect of Schisandra lignans and Schisandra polysaccharides

“…After reviewing the literature [3], this experiment decided to establish a mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The stimulating factors used in this experiment are: tail clamping for 1 min, fasting for 24 h, water deprivation for 24 h, squirrel cage tilted at 45° for 24 h, wet litter for 24 h, day and night reversal for 24 h, swimming in hot water at 45°C for 5 min, Swim in ice water at 4°C for 5 minutes, and shake the mouse cage horizontally at a frequency of 1 time/s for 15 minutes.…”

“…At present, there are mainly two methods of Western medicine treatment and Chinese medicine treatment to the drug treatment of depression. There are many disadvantages in the treatment of western medicine, which has the disadvantages of slow onset of effect, easy to cause recurrence of disease, and large side effects [3]. More people have shifted the research focus of antidepressants to the direction of natural medicines.…”