Abstract
Jieyu Anshen granule (JY) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for treating depression and anxiety. The aim of the study was to observe the effects of JY on poststroke depression (PSD) and investigate the underlying mechanism. PSD rat model was developed by middle cerebral artery occlusion following chronic unpredictable mild stress in conjunction with isolation rearing. We performed behavioral tests, Western blot, ELISA, and BrdU/NeuN staining. Treatment with JY showed significant antidepressant effect in open-field and sucrose preference tests, as well as significant improvement in beam-walking, cylinder, grip strength, and water maze tests. In addition, treatment with JY could restore the levels of neurotransmitters and decrease the levels of hormone and inflammation cytokines in serum and brain. Treatment with JY also showed significant regulation in the expression of neurotransmitter receptors and NF-κB/IκB-α signaling in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, the numbers of newborn neurons in the hippocampus were increased by treatment with JY. Our results suggest that JY could ameliorate PSD and improve the neurological and cognitive functions. The antidepressive effect may be associated with the modulation of JY on monoamine system, neuroendocrine, neuroinflammation, and neurogenesis.
Highlights
Poststroke depression (PSD), which is different from general depression, is an extremely frequently neuropsychiatric disorder following ischaemic stroke, and common mood symptoms after stroke include anxiety and feelings of despair as well as anhedonia [1]
Jieyu Anshen granules (JY) are a classical Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with antidepressant activity that have been recognized by the China Food and Drug Administration [10]. e use of JY alone or in combination with additional antidepressants has already been widely implemented in China as a means of treating anxiety and depression [11]
JY Improved Depressive Behaviors in PSD Rats. e middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) + CUMS rats significantly reduced the sucrose preference on day 14 compared to CON rats (P < 0.05), and the effect persisted until CUMS ended on day 19 (P < 0.01)
Summary
Poststroke depression (PSD), which is different from general depression, is an extremely frequently neuropsychiatric disorder following ischaemic stroke, and common mood symptoms after stroke include anxiety and feelings of despair as well as anhedonia [1]. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the commonly used complementary and alternative medicine therapies for depression, while a formula contains several herbs (Chaihu, Gancao, Fuling, Suanzaoren, Yujin, Baizhu, Yuanzhi, Shichangpu, Banxia, etc.) with a specific proportion interacting with each other to improve therapeutic effects and to reduce toxicities [7, 8]. TCM or its major constituents are often used in clinical practice in China for treating depression; for example, polyphenols may show antidepressant effects through normalizing HPA hyperactivity [9]. E use of JY alone or in combination with additional antidepressants has already been widely implemented in China as a means of treating anxiety and depression [11]. It is not clear whether JY can be effective for PSD. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CUMS) following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO); effects of JY were observed and underlying mechanism was investigated
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