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Objective To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan San(CHSGS) ,a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine,on the behavior and plasma levels of corticosterone level and corticotrophin releasing hormone ( CRH) mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus of mice with chronic mild unpredicted stress depression. Methods 40 adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group,the model control group,the fluoxetine group and CHSGS group. Except the normal control group, mice were exposed to an unpredicted sequence of mild stressor for continuous 21 days to induce depression. Since the 8th day, mice were intragastrically administered with equal volume agents respectively for 14 days (normal saline for the normal control group and the model group,fluoxetine(2. 6 mg · kg-1 ) for fluoxetine group and CHSGS (8.45 g · kg-1) for CHSGS group). Body weight and behaviors were investigated,the plasma levels of CORT in different groups were detected by radioimmunoassay, and the mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus were semiquantified by the RT-PCR method. Results In comparision with the model group, body weight changes ( (13.22 ±3.57)g) and consumption of sucrose solution((1. 90 ±0. 74) ml) of CHSGS groups were significantly increased, and the duration of immobility during the forced swimming ((62.20±13.73)s) and tail suspension((58. 10 ± 11.71 )s) ,the levels of plasma CORT((12.61 ±4.63)ng/L) and the CRHmRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex(0.34 ±0.10) and the hypothalamus(0.70 ±0.09) were significantly decreased. Conclusion CHSGS can reverse the depressive behavior, reduced the levels of plasma CORT and down-regulated CRHmRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and the hypothalamus of the depressive mouse caused chronic stress.
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On the basis of medical literature review and clinical research experience, the authors analyzed the reasons for low recognition rate of depression and poor progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiation of depression in this paper and put forward that depressive episode symptoms and the corresponding common terminology classification of Chinese and Western medicine should be the breakthrough points. Through symptom stratification and combination, as well as distinguishing between primary and secondary symptoms, the comprehensive integrative medicine clinical assessment of depression was explored so as to further obtain expert consensus and provide a methodology reference for the TCM differentiation of depression and the research of etiology and pathogenesis.
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Objective To explore the antidepressant effect and mechanism of Chaihu Shugan San (CHSGS) composition, a compound traditional Chinese herb medicine and its components. Methods Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group, model control group, a CHSGS group, a component I group, a component II group and a fluoxetine control group. The depression model was replicated by chronic unpredictable mild stress and single house for 28 d. Behavioral scores of the rats were detected by Open-field test and sucrose solution consumption test, and ERK1/2 mRNA expression in the hippocampus tissue was assayed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Results ERK1/2 mRNA expression was down-regulated in the depression model group compared with the normal control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ERK1/2 mRNA expression in the CHSGS group and fluoxetine group was both up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and only ERK1 mRNA expression in the component I group was up-regulated (P<0.05). No significant difference existed between the component II group and the model group (P>0.05). Conclusion Isolated-living condition and chronic mild unpredictable stress can down-regulate the expression of ERK1/2 mRNA in the hippocampus tissue. CHSGS may exert an antidepressant effect through increasing the expression of ERK1/2 mRNA in the hippocampus, component I may play an important role in its antidepression effect, while compatibility of the use of component II can enhance the antidepressant efficacy.
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Objective To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture on behavior and the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the hippocampus of rats with chronic stress depression. Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups:a normal control group, a model control group, an electro-acupuncture group and a fluoxetine hydrochloride control group. All rats except the control groups were singly test and by the volume of sugar solution drunk in 24 hours. The levels of BDNF in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were investigated immunohistochemically. Results Compared with the normal control group, the model rats'crossing squares, rearing, and grooming in the open field test and the volume of sugarsolution drunk were all less, while their time in the central square was clearly greater. Fluoxetine or electro-acupuncture could significantly improve behavior. Compared with the model group, BDNF immunoreactivity in the hippocampal neurons of the electro-acupuncture group was increased significantly and the average gray value of neurons decreased.Conclusions Electro-acupuncture can improve behavior and the level of BDNF in the hippocampal neurons of depressed rats. It has a significant antidepressant effect.
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Objective To study the mechanism of depression by explore the expressional differences of synapsin and dopamine transporter(DAT) mRNA of hippocampus in depression model rats. Methods Depression model were replicated by chronic stress. 20 rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=10) and de-pression model group(n=10). Synapsin and DAT mRNA expressions in hippocampns were detected with RT-PCR technique. Result The values of synapsin and DAT mRNA in hippocampus of normal control group were 0.84±0.08 and 1.24±0.08, respectively, and 1.24±0.12 and 1.85±0.09 of model group, their t values were 8.87 and 16.50 (P<0.01). Conclusion The expressions of synapsin and DAT mRNA in hippecampus of depression model rats were increased significantly.
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To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan San (CHSGS), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on behavior and plasma levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) of rats with chronic mild unpredicted stress depression.
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Objective To explore the kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes of depression to establish the criteria of common TCM syndromes of depression. Methods According to the ways of clinical epidemiology, TCM Bianzheng and syndromes’ indexes were investigated in 1977 depression patients with unipolar and bipolar affective disorder in 8 investigation sites such as Hunan, Tianjin, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guanxi, Hujian and Guizhuo. Results There were 12 kinds of syndromes in depression. According to order of composition ratio, the first four syndroms respectively were Gan-Yu-Qi-Zhi, Gan-Yu-Pi-Xi, Gan-Yu-Tan-Zu, Xin-Pi-Liang-Xu, the ratios of which were 29 7%, 24 5%, 13 4% and 12 8% respectively.Conclusions The common TCM syndromes of depression are such as the followings: Gan-Yu-Qi-Zhi, Gan-Yu-Pi-Xi, Gan-Yu-Tan-Zu, Xin-Pi-Liang-Xu. There are some relationships between common TCM syndromes of depression and 4 sub-types of unipolar disorder.
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Objective To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) mRNA in the sclerotic skin of mice with bleomycin (BLM)-induced scleroderma. Methods Twenty-four SPF female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the model group and the control group. The model mice were subcutaneously injected on the back with 0.1 mL of BLM (300 ?g/mL, diluted in saline) daily for 4 weeks, while the controls were injected with saline in the same manner. After the final injection the skin section in the injected area was collected for histological examination, measurement of dermis thickness, determination of hydroxyproline contents by a colorimetric method, detection of CTGF mRNA expression by in situ hybridization and measurement of CTGF and pro-collagen ?1(pro-COL1A1) mRNA expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results Compared with the control mice, the model mice showed typical scleroderma histologically. The dermis was significantly thicker and the skin hydroxyproline content was significantly higher in the model group than that in the controls (both P
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Objective:To establish criteria of commonly-seen TCM syndromes of depression.Methods:Consultation of specialists,clinical epidemiological survey,scores of syndrome degree rating and statistical analysis of multiple factors were adopted to establish the criteria for main syndrome differentiation of 5 commonly-seen TCM syndromes of depression.Results:Of 1977 cases of depression,1731 cases were stagnation of the liver-Qi,stagnation of the liver-Qi and deficiency of the spleen,stagnation of the liver-Qi and phlegm,deficiency of both the heart and spleen,and Yin-deficiency of both the liver and kidney.And according to statistical analysis,the criteria for main syndrome differentiation of the 5 syndromes were established.Conclusion:Commonly-seen syndromes of depression have common cause of disease and pathogenesis.Stagnation of the liver-Qi is basic syndrome,and in clinical manifestation of various syndromes emotional depression is common main syndrome,but various syndromes still have other main syndrome.