Clinical observation on efficacy of Modified Chaihu Shugan Granule for treating post ischemic stroke depression / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the efficacy of Modified Chaihu Shugan Granule on post ischemic stroke depression (PSD) patients, and to explore its effect on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Methods: Totally 100 patients with PSD were randomly devided into treatment group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). Both groups were given the conventional treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, while the control group also took citalopram hydrobromide, once a day, 20 mg each time. Additionally, the treatment group was given Modified Chaihu Shugan Granule. The therapeutic course for all was 8 weeks. Before treatment and 4, 8 weeks after treatment, scores of Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) and Barthel Index of both groups were observed to evaluate clinical effects. Serum levels of BDNF were detected at the same time. Results: Total effective rate of clinical effects in the treatment group (94.00%) was better than that of the control group (72.00%) (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, HAMD scores all obviously decreased but the scores of Barthel Index and serum levels of BDNF increased (P<0.01), while those after the treatment for 8 weeks showed greater improvements (P<0.01). Separately, HAMD scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group at 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment (P<0.01), while the scores of Barthel Index increased all along (P<0.01). Serum levels of BDNF in the treatment group were obviously higher than those in the control group at 4 weeks after the treatment (P<0.05), while it was a significant difference at 8 weeks (P<0.01). Conclusion: Modified Chaihu Shugan Granule used for treating the patients with PSD could improve the clinical efficacy, activities of daily living, and depressive state. Its mechanism might be associated with inhibiting serum levels of BDNF.