A Chinese Classical Prescription Chaihu Shugan Powder in Treatment of Post-Stroke Depression: An Overview

Abstract

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most common mental health problem after a stroke with an incidence of up to 33%. PSD has a negative impact on the rehabilitation and recovery of motor and cognitive dysfunction after a stroke and significantly increases the chance of the recurrence of neurovascular events. At present, medication is the preferred method of coping with PSD. Modern medicine is still unclear regarding the pathogenesis of PSD, with clinical drug treatment mostly using antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). However, a high proportion of patients fail to show an adequate antidepressant response and have adverse reactions after taking antidepressants. In recent years, as the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in clinical treatment continue to emerge, Chinese herbal and TCM formulae have begun to enter the awareness of Chinese scholars and even scholars around the world. As a classic formula with a history of more than 400 years, Chaihu Shugan powder (CHSG) has great advantages in the clinical treatment of PSD. Based on existing clinical and experimental studies, this article comprehensively analyzes clinical cases, mechanisms of action, and drug and chemical effects of CHSG in the treatment of PSD in order to provide more clinical experience and experimental theoretical support for CHSG in the treatment of PSD.

Exploring the transformative impact of traditional Chinese medicine on depression: Insights from animal models

“…Sadeghi et al [ 63 ] reported that when comparing the two treatments' effects on patients with mild and moderate depression, they discovered that Hypericum perforatum was more effective than antidepressants. Hypericin and several flavonoids were identified as the primary antidepressant components in Jin Si Tao ( Hypericum monogynum L.), according to an analysis of clinical data by Gao et al [ 64 ]. These compounds may potentially participate in the treatment of depression by exerting inhibitory effects on 5-hydroxytryptamine, monoamine oxidase B, and monoamine oxidase A. Additionally, they control gene expression in the hypothalamus and the hypothalamic-adrenal axis.…”