Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance ›› 2021, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (12): 1138-1143.
DOI: 10.19803/j.1672-8629.2021.12.08

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Antidepressant Effects and Mechanism of Dingzhixiaowan and Kaixinwan on CUMS Model Rats

YANG Li1,2, LIU Wanwan3, ZHOU Xiaojiang3, ZHANG Lan1, DONG Xianzhe1#, LIU Ping3,*   

  1. 1Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China;
    2College of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563000, China;
    3Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy,Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
  • Received:2021-03-05 Online:2021-12-15 Published:2021-12-16

Abstract: Objective To compare the effect of Dingzhixiaowan pills recorded in Essential Recipes for Emergent Use Worth One Thousand and Kaixinwan pills recored in Yimenfang on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model rats and its possible mechanism.Methods A CUMS rat model was established. The rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, Dingzhixiaowan group, and Kaixinwan group. The rats in the last two groups were given their respective drug intragastrically for two weeks. The antidepressant effect of the two drugs was evaluated in terms of body weight, syrup partiality and open field test. The changes of glutamic acid (GLU), gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) serum hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis transmitters, IL-1 and other cytokines in the hippocampus and cortex of rats in each group were determined. The difference in chemical composition between Dingzhixiaowan and Kaixinwan pills was analyzed. Results Dingzhixiaowan significantly increased the body weight, glycemic preference and open field scores of CUMS rats, reduced GLU content in the hippocampus and cortex of rats, increased GABA content, reduced HPA axis transmitters, and regulated serum cytokine levels. Kaixinwan increased GABA content in the hippocampus and cortex of model rats, but reduced serum cytokine levels.Conclusion Dingzhixiaowan pills have obvious antidepressant effect, but Kaixinwan pills do not in behavioral experiments. The antidepressant effect of Dingzhixiaowan may be related to the regulation of central neuron amino acid secretion, reversal of the hyperactivity of HPA axis, and reduction of the immune regulation of IL-1 and other cytokines. The antidepressant effect of the prescription may be closely related to the content of main chemical components such as ginsenosides.

Key words: depression, Dingzhixiaowan, Kaixinwan, chronic unpredictable mild stress

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