Lab study, 2016
Does a traditional Chinese medicine help premenstrual depression by changing serotonin receptors?
In rats, Shuyu Capsules reduced depression-like symptoms and lowered abnormally high serotonin receptors in the brain, working similarly to the antidepressant fluoxetine. This was an animal study.
What they did
Researchers created rats with depression-like symptoms from PMS. They divided these rats into three groups: untreated model rats, rats treated with Shuyu Capsules, and rats treated with fluoxetine, an antidepressant. They measured serotonin receptor levels in the frontal lobe and hippocampus and tested depression-like behavior.
What they found
Model rats showed depression-like symptoms that both Shuyu Capsules and fluoxetine reduced. Depression-prone model rats had higher levels of 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R (types of serotonin receptors) in the frontal lobe and hippocampus compared to control rats. Shuyu Capsules lowered these receptor levels. Model rats had higher 5-HT 3 channel currents (electrical activity). Shuyu treatment lowered these currents to near-normal levels, similar to fluoxetine.
What it means for you
Shuyu Capsules may help premenstrual depression by normalizing serotonin receptor activity in the brain. It worked about as well as fluoxetine in this animal model. However, this was only in rats, and we don't know if it would work the same way in women.
About the study
- Original title
- Shuyu Capsules Relieve Premenstrual Syndrome Depression by Reducing 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R Expression in the Rat Brain
- Authors
- Li F, Feng J, Gao D et al.
- Journal
- Neural plasticity
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Lab study
- What was tested
- Shuyu Capsules
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1155/2016/7950781
Original abstract
The effects of the Shuyu capsule on 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression in a rat model of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) depression and on 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and hippocampal neuron 5-HT 3 channel current were investigated, to elucidate its mechanism of action against PMS depression. PMS depression model rats were divided into depression and Shuyu- and fluoxetine-treated groups, which were compared to control rats for frontal lobe and hippocampal 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and behavior. The depressed model rats displayed symptoms of depression, which were reduced in treated and normal control rats. Frontal lobe and hippocampal 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R levels were significantly higher in the model versus the control group and were significantly lower in the Shuyu group. As compared to control rats, the 5-HT 3 R channel current in the model group was significantly higher; the 5-HT 3 R channel current in hippocampal neurons treated with serum from Shuyu group rats was significantly lower than that in those treated with model group serum. Thus, PMS depression may be related to 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and increased 5-HT 3 channel current. Shuyu capsules rectified abnormal 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and 5-HT 3 channel current changes in a rat model; this finding may provide insight into treating PMS depression.
Reproduced under CC-BY.
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