Effects of Platycodonis Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma on oral nanoparticle uptake and in vitro inhibition against breast cancer metastasis / 中国中药杂志

This study combined the herbal pair Platycodonis Radix-Curcumae Rhizoma(PR-CR) possessing an inhibitory effect on tumor cell proliferation and metastasis with the active component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) silibinin-loaded nanoparticles(NPs) with a regulatory effect on tumor microenvironment based on the joint effect on tumor cells and tumor microenvironment to inhi-bit cell metastasis. The effects of PR-CR on the cellular uptake of NPs and in vitro inhibition against breast cancer proliferation and metastasis were investigated to provide an experimental basis for improving nanoparticle absorption and enhancing therapeutic effects. Silibinin-loaded lipid-polymer nanoparticles(LPNs) were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The NPs were spherical or quasi-spherical in shape with obvious core-shell structure. The mean particle size was 107.4 nm, Zeta potential was-27.53 mV. The cellular uptake assay was performed by in vitro Caco-2/E12 coculture cell model and confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM), and the results indicated that PR-CR could promote the uptake of NPs. Further, in situ intestinal absorption assay by the CLSM vertical scanning approach showed that PR-CR could promote the absorption of NPs in the enterocytes of mice. The inhibitory effect of NPs on the proliferation and migration of 4T1 cells was analyzed using 4T1 breast cancer cells and co-cultured 4T1/WML2 cells, respectively. The results of the CCK8 assay showed that PR-CR-containing NPs could enhance the inhibition against the proliferation of 4T1 breast cancer cells. The wound healing assay indicated that PR-CR-containing NPs enhanced the inhibition against the migration of 4T1 breast cancer cells. This study enriches the research on oral absorption of TCM NPs and also provides a new idea for utilizing the advantages of TCM to inhibit breast cancer metastasis.

Mechanism of Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix Against Breast Cancer： An Exploration Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo screen out the main targets and related signaling pathways of the herbal pair Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix in treating breast cancer based on network pharmacology and verify their action mechanism in in vitro experiments. MethodThe main chemical components and related targets of Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， and the target genes related to breast cancer from GeneCards. Following the screening of the common targets of Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix and breast cancer using Venn， the Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix-breast cancer network and protein-protein interaction （PPI） network were constructed. The effective targets were then subjected to gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis. The resulting outcomes were then verified by cell counting kit （CCK）-8 assay， flow cytometry， and Western blot. ResultThe screening yielded seven effective components and 61 targets of Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix， among which 55 targets were involved in breast cancer. The GO analysis revealed 832 entries， which were mainly enriched in the biological processes. According to KEGG pathway enrichment analysis， 85 signaling pathways were obtained， including tumor suppressor p53， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）. It was verified in in vitro experiments that the alcohol extract of Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and induced their apoptosis. Compared with the blank control group and the dimethyl sulfoxide （DMSO， 0.1% solvent） group， the medication groups exhibited obviously decreased absorbance in MDA-MB-231 cells （P<0.01） and increased apoptosis rate （P<0.01）. The results of Western blot demonstrated that compared with the blank control group and the DMSO group， each medication significantly reduced the phosphorylated （p）-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in cells （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe ethanol extract of Cremastrae Pseudobulbus-Rhapontici Radix effectively inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and induces their apoptosis， which may be related to the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Data mining-based analysis of formulation rules for prescriptions containing herbal pair Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-Polygalae Radix / 中国中药杂志

By the in-depth excavation of prescriptions containing herbal pair Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-Polygalae Radix in the Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions, this study analyzed their formulation rules, so as to provide reference for their clinical application and new drug development. First, the prescriptions containing Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-Polygalae Radix were collected from the Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions, and their indications, herbal compatibility, and dosage forms were analyzed statistically using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System(TCMISS). Meanwhile, the formulation rules and common dosage forms for the top four indications(amnesia, palpitation, mania, and epilepsy) sorted by frequency were analyzed with Apriori algorithm. A total of 507 prescriptions containing Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-Polygalae Radix were screened out, involving 15 indications(frequency>10) like amnesia, palpitation, mania, and epilepsy. There were 30 commonly used Chinese herbs(frequency≥60), with the Qi-tonifying herbs(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome), mind-tranquilizing herbs(Poria and Poria cum Radix Pini), and Yin-nourishing herbs(Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Ophiopogonis Radix) being the core ones. The commonly used dosage forms were honey pill, paste pill, decoction, and powder. These have indicated that the herbal pair Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-Polygalae Radix is often combined with Qi-tonifying, Yin-nourishing, and mind-tranquilizing herbs for the treatment of "heart or brain diseases" caused by phlegm production due to spleen deficiency, Qi and blood deficiency, and phlegm-turbidity blocking orifice. In the treatment of amnesia, supplementing essence and replenishing marrow are considered on the basis of tonifying Qi, nourishing Yin, and tranquilizing mind. In the treatment of palpitation and mania, tranquilizing mind is emphasized. In the treatment of epilepsy, the emphasis is placed on resolving phlegm, extinguishing wind, and stopping convulsion.

Effect of Albiziae Flos and Polygalae Radix Alone and Their Combination on Depression-like Behavior and CREB and NOX2 Expression in Hippocampus of Chronic Unpredictable Stress-induced Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of Albiziae Flos （AF） and Polygalae Radix （PR） alone and their combination on the improvement of depression-like behavior in rats with chronic unpredictable stress （CUS） as well as on hippocampal ultrastructure and the expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein （CREB） and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 （NOX2）， to explore their action mechanisms. Method:Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， AF group， PR group， AF-PR group， and fluoxetine group. Rats in all groups except for the normal group were exposed to CUS and separated feeding to induce depression. Since the first day of modeling， rats in the AF group， PR group， AF-PR group were provided with the corresponding decoction containing 1.05 g·kg^-1 total crude drug by gavage， the ones in the fluoxetine group with 2.1 mg·kg^-1 fluoxetine hydrochloride aqueous solution， and those in the normal group and model group with the distilled water， for 28 successive days. The open field test and forced swimming test were performed 1 d before modeling and 7， 14， 21， 28 d after modeling， respectively. The morphological changes in hippocampus were observed under an electron microscope on the 28^th day. The superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels in hippocampus were detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry， and the expression levels of CREB and NOX2 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. Result:The behavioral experiment results showed that the number of horizontal activities and sugar water consumption in the model group declined as compared with those in the normal group， while the immobility time in the forced swimming test was prolonged （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the AF group， PR group， and AF-PR group exhibited elevated number of horizontal activities， increased sugar water consumption but shortened immobility time in the forced swimming test （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the AF group or PR group， the AF-PR group showed significantly different behavioral indexes （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Morphological results showed that the mitochondria of the model group were obviously swollen and the ultrastructure of the hippocampus was destroyed. By contrast， the hippocampal ultrastructure in each administration group was close to normal. The comparison with the normal group revealed that the activity of SOD in the hippocampus of the model group was significantly reduced， whereas the content of MDA was elevated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the AF group， PR group， and AF-PR group displayed increased activity of SOD and decreased content of MDA in the hippocampal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with AF or PR alone， the herbal pair AF-PR resulted in significant differences in the above-mentioned indexes （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. The results of Real-time PCR and Western blot demonstrated that NOX2 expression in the hippocampus of the model group was up-regulated in comparison with that in the normal group， while the CREB expression was down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the AF group， PR group， and AF-PR group all showed diminished NOX2 expression but elevated CREB expression in the hippocampal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. The protein expression levels of NOX2 and CREB in the AF group or PR group were significantly different from those in the AF-PR group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:AF and PR alone and their combination improve the depression-like behavior of rats exposed to CUS， which may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress， the up-regulation of CREB expression， and the down-regulation of NOX2 expression in hippocampus.

A network pharmacology and molecule docking approach to investigating active compounds and mechanisms of gonglaoye-xianhecao herbal pair for ischemic stroke / 中国药理学通报

Aim To clarify the mechanism of Gonglaoye and Xianhecao herbal pair in the treatment of ischemic stroke so as to obtain the substantive evidence using network pharmacology data mining and molecular docking. Methods The main compounds of traditional Chinese medicine were obtained by TCMSP platform and consulting literature, the drug action targets were obtained by TCMSP, and the known genes about ischemic stroke were collected by searching Drugbank, Disgenet, TTD, Genecards, OMIM database, thus the drug-compound-target network map was constructed, and the common target proteins and main compounds were screened. The visual protein-protein interaction network map (PPI) was constructed by string. With the help of Cytoscape software, the original target network of active components was constructed and analyzed, and the gene ontology GO and Jingdu gene and genome encyclopedia KEGG analysis were carried out to analyze the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of the common targets of drugs and diseases. Finally, the molecular docking of the core protein and the core compound was carried out according to the relevant node parameters of the compound and protein. Results Seventeen active components and 296 potential targets of Gonglao leaf and crane herbs in the treatment of ischemic stroke were screened. GO enrichment was mainly concentrated in the response to oxides, cell response to chemical stimulation, positive regulation of cell metabolism, constant effect, active regulation of stimulus response, cell communication and so on. KEGG was mainly involved in signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, Ras, neuron ligand receptor interaction and so on. Molecular docking showed that quercetin and other active components had high affinity and tight connection with core targets such as AKT1. Conclusions The treatment of ischemic strokec is mainly through the mechanism of ursolic acid, hyperin and other active components, AKT1, cMAPK3 and other multi-targets, PI3K-AKT and other multi-pathway interaction mechanisms. Through this study the theoretical support can be provided for the further clinical application of Gonglaye and crane herbs, providing basic ideas for future experimental research and new drug research and development.

Phenols and Organic Acids Constituents in Water Decoction of Curcumae Rhizoma-Sparganii Rhizoma Herbal Pair and Single Herb / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate constituents containing phenolic hydroxyl or carboxylic acid （excluding diarylheptanoids） from Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma herbal pair and single herb. Method:Multiple chromatographic separation techniques， including silica gel，MCI gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel， were employed to isolate and purify the compounds. Their structures were identified by means of the nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR），mass spectrometry （MS） and physicochemical properties. Constituents were quickly analyzed by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MSn，and scanned in positive and negative ion modes. Result:These compounds were determined as trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid（1），vanillic acid（2），protocatechuic acid（3），fumalic acid（4），succinic acid（5），succinic acid monomethyl ester（6），docosanoic acid（7），azelaic acid（8） and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde（9）. Forty compounds were speculated by comparing mass spectrometry data，retention times of some compounds and reference materials，including 14 phenols and 26 organic acids. Among the compounds of herbal pair，8 phenols and 22 organic acids in Sparganii Rhizoma as well as 11 phenols and 13 organic acids in Curcumae Rhizoma were identified. Cleavage pathways of main compounds were described. Conclusion:There are abundant phenols and organic acids in Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma herbal pair and single herb. The results enrich pharmacodynamic material basis of Curcumae Rhizoma and Sparganii Rhizoma herbal pair.

Discovery and study on potential effect of herbal pair of Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis-Eucommiae Cortex on pregnancy hypertension based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the optimal indications and mechanism of Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis(UR)-Eucommiae Cortex(EC) in lowering blood pressure based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Chemical constituents were collected and screened by TCMSP database. Swiss Target Prediction platform was used to predict the related targets of the drug. OMIM, TCMIP and GeneCards databases were used to collect hypertension-related genes, and the intersections were taken to obtain potential targets for anti-hypertensive treatment of UR-EC. FunRich software was used to enrich the clinical phenotype and expression site of potential target of lowering blood pressure to analyze and predict the optimal indications of UR-EC. STRING database was used for KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct the network of "composition-target-pathway". The key targets and their corresponding components in the network were analyzed and obtained, and then molecular docking was applied for preliminary verification. Twenty potential active components of UR and 24 potential active components of EC were respectively collected, and 92 anti-hypertensive potential targets of UR-EC were obtained. According to FunRich enrichment results, the optimal indication of UR-EC was pregnancy hypertension, which involved calcium signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand receptor interaction, renin vascular tightening, VEGF signaling pathway, etc. In addition, AKT1, NOS2, ADRB2, F2, NOS3, SCN5 A, HTR2 A and JAK2 were considered as the key targets in the network. The molecular docking results showed that the screened potential active components had high binding activity with the key targets. This study preliminarily revealed that UR-EC may have therapeutic effects on pregnancy hypertension in terms of sedation, anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, improvement of vascular endothelial function and so on.

Preventive and therapeutic mechanism of the herbal pair, Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma on dementia-like mice induced by D-galactose / 中成药

AIM To investigate the preventive effects of herbal pair,Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma (SC),on Alzheimer's disease (AD),and its mechanism of action.METHODS Dementia mice induced by 8-week s.i.d subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (100 mg/kg),were simultaneously given respective,intragastric administration of SC crude drug at doses of 5,10,20 g/kg,or piracetam support at 0.75 g/kg,and isometrical distilled water was applied to the mice of normal control group.The mice had their learning and memory abilities checked by Morris water maze at intervals of four weeks and eight weeks since the start of the trial,and their blood and brain tissue biochemical indices measured at the end of the test.RESULTS Significantly shortened latent period in place navigation test and the time of enter into the original platform in the space exploration test were observed in the mice treated with 4-week D-galactose and SC (P ＜0.05 或 P ＜0.01).The 8-week intervention demonstrated SC capacity in the significant promotion of T-SOD activity,decreased blood MDA levels (P ＜ 0.01)and the brain AchE levels,and increased brain GSH-Px activity (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION SC increases the concentration of acetylcholine in brain tissue and protects the central nervous tissue under oxidative stress,highlighting its therapeutic effect on AD.

Effects of Ephedrae Herba on plasma levels of three constituents in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma / 中成药

AIM To investigate the effects of the compatibility of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) on pharmacokinetic changes of the plasma levels of glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin by UPLC-MS/MS.METHODS Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into two groups and orally administered with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (2 ∶ 1) Decoction.Blood samples were collected at different time points,and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS3.2.2 software.RESULTS Compared with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group,the AUC0-t and Cmax were decreased,the MRT0-t and t1/2z were extended,the Vz/F was increased for glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin;the CLz/F was increased for glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin;the Tmax of glycyrrhizic acid was shortened and the Tmax of glycyrrhetinic acid was extended.CONCLUSION After combining Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba,the bioavailability of glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin are reduced,the elimination of them delays,and the distribution volume increases.

Effects of Ephedrae Herba on plasma levels of three constituents in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma / 中成药

AIM To investigate the effects of the compatibility of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) on pharmacokinetic changes of the plasma levels of glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin by UPLC-MS/MS.METHODS Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into two groups and orally administered with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (2 ∶ 1) Decoction.Blood samples were collected at different time points,and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS3.2.2 software.RESULTS Compared with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group,the AUC0-t and Cmax were decreased,the MRT0-t and t1/2z were extended,the Vz/F was increased for glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin;the CLz/F was increased for glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin;the Tmax of glycyrrhizic acid was shortened and the Tmax of glycyrrhetinic acid was extended.CONCLUSION After combining Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ephedrae Herba,the bioavailability of glycyrrhizic acid,glycyrrhetinic acid and liquiritin are reduced,the elimination of them delays,and the distribution volume increases.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of components of Radix Polygalae in herbal pair of Radix Polygalae and Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii / 中国药科大学学报

@#The purpose of this research was to explore the differences of the components of Radix Polygalae in herbal pair of Radix Polygalae and Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii. An HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method and an HPLC-UV method were established for the identification and determination of the components of Radix Polygalae, respectively. HPLC separation was carried out on a C18 column(250 mm×4. 6 mm, 5 μm)with linear gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0. 1% formic acid aqueous solution. Mass spectrometry with ESI source was performed in the positive ion mode to scan MS data including total ion chromatograms and ion peaks of Radix Polygalae. Eight components including 3, 4, 5-trimethoxycinnamic acid, p-methoxycinnamic acid, tenuifolin, sibiricose A5, polygalaxanthone III, tenuifoliside B, 3, 6′-disinapoly sucrose, and tenuifoliside A were identified according to the reference substance retention time, MS data and literatures. There was no significant variation found in the contents of eight chemical constituents of Radix Polygalae. The qualification and quantitation study of the components in herbal pair of Radix Polygalae and Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii provide the methodological basis for compatibility mechanism exploration in vivo.

Study on in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Pair of Euphorbia humifusa Willd. and Portulaca oleracea L / 中国药师

Objective:To study the in vitro antimicrobial activity of traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair of euphorbia humifusa Willd. and portulaca oleracea L. . Methods: The antibacterial effect in vitro of the traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair and the single herb of euphorbia humifusa Willd. and portulaca oleracea L. was studied on staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli and pseudo-monas aeruginosa by the 2-fold dilution method and the broth micro-dilution method in a 96-well plate. The minimum inhibitory con-centration ( MIC) , minimum bactericidal concentration ( MBC) and the diameter of inhibition zone were determined. Results:The ex-perimental strains showed the different sensitivity among the traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair and the single herb. The antibac-terial and bactericidal activity of the traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair was the most obvious(P<0. 05). As the temperature in-creasing, the antibacterial activity of all water extract on different experimental strains changed. The results of MIC and MBC showed that the effects of water extract on escherichia coli were strongest, that of stapphylococcus aureus were secong, ant that of pseudomonas aeruginosa were relatively weak. Conclusion:The traditional Chinese medicine herbal pair of euphorbia humifusa Willd. and portulaca oleracea L. has antibacterial and bactericidal activity in varying degrees on the experimental strains with some differences, and the changes in the application forms of traditional Chinese medicines has great influence on the antibacterial and bactericidal ability.

Effects of Herbal Pair of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Albizia Julibrissin Flower on Cognitive Function and Serum BDNF among Depression Patients / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to observe effects of herbal pair of semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS) and A lbizia Julib-rissin flower (AJF) on cognitive function and serum BDNF among depression patients. A total of 60 depression pa-tients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. In the SZS-AJF group, 30 patients were administered with SZS-AJF decoction. In the control group, 30 patients were administered with venlafaxine hydrochloride sus-tained-release tablets. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and the serum-brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were detected before treatment and after six weeks of treatment. The results showed that there were no significant differences on the HAMD score, WCST (Response Administered (Ra), Categories Completed (Cc), Correct Responses (Cr), Perseverative Errors (Pe), Non-perseverative Errors (Npe)), serum BDNF before and after treatment between two groups. Compared with pretreatment, HAMD score, Ra, Cc, Cr, serum BDNF were increased after treatment in both groups. The Pe and Npe were decreased after treatment. There was sta-tistical significance between pretreatment and posttreatment (P< 0.05, or P< 0.01). It was concluded that the herbal pair of SZS-AJF has anti-depressant effect. It can improve cognitive function of depression patients. The anti-de-pressant mechanism of herbal pair of SZS-AJF may be related to the increasing of serum BDNF level.

Effects of Herbal Pair of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Albizia Julibrissin Flower on Quality of Life among Elderly Patients with Depression / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to observe the effects of herbal pair of Semen ziziphi spinosae (SZS) and A lbizia julibrissin flower (AJF) on the quality of life (QOL) among elderly patients with depression. A total of 70 elderly patients with depression were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. The Chinese medicine group (with 35 cases) was given SZS-AJF decoction, and the western medicine group (with 35 cases) was given venlafaxine hydrochloride sustained-release tablets. The HAMD scale score, QOL Assessment Questionnaire (GQOLI-74), and the Side-Effects Scale Score (TESS) were detected 8 weeks before and after the treatment. The results showed that there was no significant difference on the clinical efficacy between two groups. On the comprehensive assessment of QOL, the physical function dimension, mental function dimension and QOL total score of Chinese medicine group were higher than the western medicine group with significant difference (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences on the material function dimension or social function dimensions between two groups. The HAMD score, physical function dimension, mental function dimension, social function dimension and score of QOL were all higher than the pretreatment score with significant differences in both groups (P < 0.05). The TESS score in Chinese medicine group was lower than the western medicine group. And the main adverse reactions in the Chinese medicines group were nausea and vomiting. It was concluded that the herbal pair of SZS and AJF had antidepressant efficacy. It can improve the QOL among elderly patients with depression.