Identifying the active components of Baihe–Zhimu decoction that ameliorate depressive disease by an effective integrated strategy: a systemic pharmacokinetics study combined with classical depression model tests

Abstract

Background Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Baihe–Zhimu decoction (BZD) has antidepressant effects. However, the complex composition and lack of clear evaluation standards for BZD make it less likely to be understood and accepted than evidence-based active natural compounds. Methods In this study, an effective method for the identification of antidepressant components was demonstrated and applied to BZD. The first step was to evaluate the efficacy of BZD by the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST), followed by successive quantitative analyses of the absorbed constituents at different stages, such as before hepatic disposition, liver distribution, after hepatic disposition and brain distribution after the oral administration of BZD. Finally, the compounds detected in the brain were confirmed by activity testing. Results Our investigation observed that timosaponin BII and timosaponin BIII were accurately determined in the brain after oral administration of BZD, and they were further confirmed to reduce the immobility time in the FST and TST. As described above, timosaponin BII and timosaponin BIII were used to scientifically and reasonably explain the effective chemical basis of the effect of BZD on depression. Conclusions This research affords an effective method to discover lead molecules for antidepressants from traditional Chinese medicine.

Zishen pingchan granules combined with pramipexole in the improvement of depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study

“…The Strength of this study included the following aspects: (1) This study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial with a good design and relatively large sample size. (2) the composition of the Zishen Pingchan recipe was modified by adding two traditional Chinese medicines, Zhimu and Baihe because some studies showed that Zhimu-baihe Decoction significantly improves the symptoms of depression in PD patients [34,35]. This change may increase the efficacy of ZPG and exert more benefits in dPD patients.…”

Baihe Extracts Reduce the Activation and Apoptosis of Microglia in the Hippocampus of Mice with Depression-like Behaviors by Downregulating MYC

“…40 Concordant with our results, Baihe-Zhimu decoction was earlier reported to reduce immobility time in the FST and TST, thus exerting antidepressant effects. 9 Another study indicated that Baihe-Dihuang powder was able to improve the pathological changes evident in the thymus and spleen of chronic stress depression animal model. 18 The current data also demonstrated that Baihe extracts curtailed microglial apoptosis, activation, and inflammatory mediator release in vivo and in vitro.…”

“…8 The active components of the Baihe-Zhimu decoction are also found to ameliorate depressive disease. 9 These findings suggest that Baihe extracts may possess the capacity to alleviate depressive diseases, which warrants investigation of the underpinning mechanisms involved. As a family of pleiotropic transcription factors, MYC proteins orchestrate multiple cellular functions, including proliferation, growth, metabolism, and regulation of tissue remodeling and regeneration.…”

“…Wang et al have shown that the herbal compound Ziziphi spinosae Baihe powder suspension is capable of attenuating depressive behaviors in rats with chronic depression . The active components of the Baihe-Zhimu decoction are also found to ameliorate depressive disease . These findings suggest that Baihe extracts may possess the capacity to alleviate depressive diseases, which warrants investigation of the underpinning mechanisms involved.…”

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Treatment of mental disorders in COVID-19 survivors

“…Change the composition of Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction and add Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge, then Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction became Lily Bulb and Rhizoma Anemarrhena Decoction. Anemarrhenae was cold in TCM theory, and it would turn the efficacy of decoction colder [ 48 ]. By adding Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge., the heat-clearing function of the decoction could be strengthened, making it more suitable for those who were already diagnosed as internal heat and Yin deficiency syndrome with more heat.…”