Effect of Peony-Glycyrrhiza Decoction on Amisulpride-Induced Hyperprolactinemia in Women with Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Study.

Ping Yang,Xuejun Liu,Dong Yang,Liang Li,Chaoying Wang,Huiyong Huang,Hongli Peng

doi:10.1155/2017/7901670

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to observe the effect of Peony-Glycyrrhiza Decoction (PGD) on hyperprolactinemia in women with schizophrenia induced by Amisulpride. Material and Methods A total of 41 female schizophrenia patients receiving Amisulpride were randomly divided into placebo (n = 20) and PGD groups (n = 21). Maintaining the original Amisulpride dose, the two groups were given placebo and PGD, respectively. The levels of Prolactin (PRL) and other hormones were measured on the initial day and at weeks 4 and 8 after treatment. Changes of clinical symptoms in patients with hyperprolactinemia were observed. The PANSS scores were recorded to assess the psychotic symptoms. Results Compared with placebo group, level of PRL decreased while Progesterone increased remarkably in the PGD group at weeks 4 and 8 (p < 0.01), and level of Estradiol in the PGD group increased significantly at week 8 (p < 0.05). There were no differences in PANSS scores and biochemical indexes between two groups at weeks 4 and 8. Conclusion PGD can improve symptoms of hyperprolactinemia and hormone levels in women with schizophrenia caused by Amisulpride, without affecting their mental symptoms and biochemical indexes.

Highlights

Schizophrenia, a severe mental illness, with high prevalence rate and disability rate, has been characterized by hallucinations, delusional perception, delusions of control, thought disorders, and social function withdrawal [1]
The intervention of Chinese herbs in hyperprolactinemia caused by antipsychotic drugs has been studied
Previous studies in cultured cells and animals suggested that Peony-Glycyrrhiza Decoction (PGD), a famous traditional Chinese decoction, would be effective in reducing the symptoms of antipsychotics-related hyperprolactinemia [16, 26, 27]

Summary

Introduction

Schizophrenia, a severe mental illness, with high prevalence rate and disability rate, has been characterized by hallucinations, delusional perception, delusions of control, thought disorders, and social function withdrawal [1]. The long-term use of antipsychotic medications may lead to a large quantity of adverse reactions, such as the extrapyramidal reaction in the nervous system, leucopenia in the blood system, and Prolactin (PRL) and metabolic disorders in the endocrine system. It will affect the patient’s physical health, treatment compliance, and therapeutic effect greatly [3]. The hyperprolactinemia has been regarded as the most common adverse reaction

Methods

Results

Conclusion