Chinese Medicinal Herbs in Relieving Perimenopausal Depression: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

The Chinese medicinal formula GNL showed promise in relieving perimenopausal depression and merits further study.

Chinese herbal medicine for menopausal symptoms

“…Twenty-two parallel-design randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the review (Azizi 2011; Deng 2011; Gong 2008; Guo 2009; Haines 2008; Jing 2002; Kwee 2007; Li 2009; Liang 2003; Lou 2009; Plotnikoff 2011; Qu 2009; Tao 2009; van der Sluijs 2009; Wu 2013; Xia 2012; Xue 2011; Zhang 2009; Zhang 2012; Zhong 2013; Zhou 2007; Zhou 2009). All were single-centre studies with three studies conducted in outpatient clinics in Australia (van der Sluijs 2009), The Netherlands (Kwee 2007) and the USA (Plotnikoff 2011).…”

“…Shan Yao Rhizoma Dioscoreae Oppositae (six studies) (Deng 2011; Kwee 2007; Li 2009; Liang 2003; Qu 2009; Wu 2013). …”

“…Suan Zao Ren Semen Z spinosae (five studies) (Azizi 2011; Jing 2002; Qu 2009; van der Sluijs 2009; Zhang 2009). …”

“…The most popular form of CHM was herbal extract in the form of granules which was used in 17/22 studies (Azizi 2011; Deng 2011; Gong 2008; Haines 2008; Jing 2002; Kwee 2007; Li 2009; Liang 2003; Lou 2009; Plotnikoff 2011; Tao 2009; van der Sluijs 2009; Xia 2012; Xue 2011; Zhong 2013; Zhou 2007; Zhou 2009); only five studies used a traditional form as a decoction (Guo 2009; Qu 2009; Wu 2013; Zhang 2009; Zhang 2012. All herbs were administered internally.…”

“…By contrast, eight studies did not report full ingredients used in their studies (Deng 2011; Gong 2008; Jing 2002; Kwee 2007; Li 2009; Lou 2009; Xue 2011; Zhou 2009). Eleven studies mentioned the full dosages of the involved ingredients (Guo 2009; Liang 2003; Qu 2009; Tao 2009; van der Sluijs 2009; Wu 2013; Xia 2012; Zhang 2009; Zhang 2012; Zhong 2013; Zhou 2007); information on full dosages of the studied ingredients was missing in the remaining 11 studies (Azizi 2011; Deng 2011; Gong 2008; Haines 2008; Jing 2002; Kwee 2007; Li 2009; Lou 2009; Plotnikoff 2011; Xue 2011; Zhou 2009). …”