The effect of Chaihu-Shugan-San and its components on the expression of ERK5 in the hippocampus of depressed rats

Qiu, Juan; Spiegel, Hans‐Ullrich; Zhang, Chunhu; Shi, Guangqing; Wang, Sue; Tian, Xiang

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.004

Cited by 36 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The rats in the stress group gained less body weight than the rats in the control group, but there was no statistical difference between the AS, fluoxetine, and model groups. These results are in line with some studies, while others have shown that antidepressants can reverse body weight gain when results are compared to the stress-only group [33–35]. …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

The Antidepressant Effect ofAngelica sinensisExtracts on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depression Is Mediated via the Upregulation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway in Rats

Shen

Zhang

Deng

et al. 2016

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Angelica sinensis (AS), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has pharmaceutical effects on menstrual illness, cerebrovascular diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cognitive impairments. However, until recently, few studies had explored its antidepressant effect. The current study attempts to investigate the effect of AS extracts on chronic unpredictable mild stress- (CUMS-) induced depression in rats. Male SD rats were exposed to a CUMS-inducing procedure for 5 weeks, resulting in rodent depressive behaviors that included reduced sucrose consumption and lessened sucrose preference ratios in sucrose preference test, prolonged immobility times and decreased struggling time in force swim test, and decreased locomotor activity in open field test. Moreover, the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK 1/2) were markedly decreased in the hippocampus in depressed rats. However, chronically treating the depressed rats with AS (1 g/kg) normalized their depression-related behaviors and molecular profiles. In conclusion, in the present study, we show that AS extracts exerted antidepressant effects that were mediated by the BDNF signaling pathway: in AS-treated depressed rats, the expression of the BDNF protein and the phosphorylation of its downstream targets (ERK 1/2, CREB) were upregulated in the hippocampus.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

The Antidepressant Effect ofAngelica sinensisExtracts on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depression Is Mediated via the Upregulation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway in Rats

Shen

Zhang

Deng

et al. 2016

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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“…For example, it can cause severe side effects such as fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, weight gain, nausea, and bad mood [12]. Objective or subjective serious side effects usually force some patients to abandon medication [13]. Considering the possible harm, the lack of effective and safe treatments worldwide, and the high incidence of depression, more effective and safe antidepressants are urgently needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antidepressant-Like Effects and Cognitive Enhancement of Coadministration of Chaihu Shugan San and Fluoxetine: Dependent on the BDNF-ERK-CREB Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampus and Frontal Cortex

Yan

et al. 2020

BioMed Research International

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Background. Fluoxetine (FLU) is the first-line and widely used medication for depression; however, FLU treatment is almost ineffective in 30%-40% of patients with depression. In addition, there are some problems in FLU treatment, such as delayed efficacy, large side effects, and poor tolerance. Chaihu Shugan San (CSS) is a classic and effective antidepressant Chinese herbal medicine that has been used in China for thousands of years. CSS or coadministration of CSS and FLU has become one of the most recommended methods in the treatment of depression in China. However, the specific pathways of CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU for antidepressant are still unclear. Objective. This study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant effects of CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU. Methods. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model was used to simulate depression. 120 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into seven groups: the control group, CUMS group, low-dose CSS group, high-dose CSS group, FLU group, coadministration of low-dose CSS and FLU group, and coadministration of high-dose CSS and FLU group. The rats in different groups were given different interventions. Then, the depression-like behavior and cognitive function were evaluated by the sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT), and Y-maze test. What is more, the antidepressant mechanism of CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU were studied through BDNF mRNA, ERK mRNA, CREB mRNA, BDNF, p-ERK/ERK, and p-CREB/CREB levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex by Western blot and RT-PCR. Results. Compared with the CUMS group, CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU could alleviate the depressive symptoms and improve cognitive function in CUMS rats (p<0.05); CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU could increase the expression of BDNF, p-CREB/CREB, p-ERK/ERK, and BDNF mRNA, CREB mRNA, and ERK mRNA in the hippocampus and frontal cortex (p<0.05). Besides, the high-dose CSS combined with the fluoxetine group was significantly better than the fluoxetine group and CSS group (p<0.05). Discussion and Conclusion. Finally, we found that both CSS and coadministration of CSS and FLU play an antidepressant role, which may be due to the regulation of the BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Among them, the coadministration of CSS and FLU can enhance the antidepressant effect of CSS or FLU alone, and the underlying mechanism needs further investigation.

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“…104 Chai hu shu gan san has also shown its effects are comparable to the antidepressant drug fluoxetine. 105,106 More research into key herbal compounds of B. chinense and BC formula in animal models or neuronal cells is needed to further elucidate the possible mechanisms of action of this herb.…”

Section: Adverse Eventsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing Depression withBupleurum chinenseHerbal Formula: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Yang

Shergis

et al. 2020

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Objectives: Bupleurum chinense (BC; Radix Bupleuri) formulae are widely used in herbal medicine clinical practice for major depressive disorder (MDD). This study provides an up-to-date and comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of BC formula for MDD. Design: Randomized controlled trials were retrieved from English and Chinese databases, from their inceptions to March 2019. Included studies compared BC formula alone or as integrative medicine to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Studies included adults 18-65 years of age. People with other types of depression or physical comorbidities, such as poststroke depression, bipolar, and other mental or physical disorders, were excluded. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA software. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was also conducted to assess the quality of evidence. Results: Thirty studies compared BC formula to antidepressants and 25 studies compared BC formula plus antidepressants to antidepressants alone. BC formula was more effective than antidepressants at improving depression severity measured on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) (standardized mean difference [SMD]-0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]-0.52 to-0.18, I 2 = 81.2%). Integrative use of BC formula plus SSRIs was also superior to SSRIs alone at improving HRSD scores (SMD-1.03, 95% CI-1.43 to-0.62, I 2 = 94.2%). However, heterogeneity of the included studies was high and quality was low. The total number and severity of adverse events in the BC formula groups were less than that in the antidepressant groups. Conclusions: BC formula alone or given as integrative medicine with antidepressants reduced depression severity. However, the evidence is low quality and at risk of bias. Well-designed studies are needed to validate the results we identified in this review.

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The effect of Chaihu-Shugan-San and its components on the expression of ERK5 in the hippocampus of depressed rats

Cited by 36 publications

References 44 publications

The Antidepressant Effect ofAngelica sinensisExtracts on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depression Is Mediated via the Upregulation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway in Rats

The Antidepressant Effect ofAngelica sinensisExtracts on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depression Is Mediated via the Upregulation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway in Rats

Antidepressant-Like Effects and Cognitive Enhancement of Coadministration of Chaihu Shugan San and Fluoxetine: Dependent on the BDNF-ERK-CREB Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampus and Frontal Cortex

Managing Depression withBupleurum chinenseHerbal Formula: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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