Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, a traditional herbal formula, produced substantial antidepressant-like effects in rats by regulating monoamine neurotransmitters.
The researchers studied the antidepressant effects of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang and its constituent ingredients in rats subjected to the forced swim test. 72 male Nerl: Wistar rats aged 8 weeks were divided into groups receiving either a control solution, licorice, wheat, jujube, Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang in a specific ratio, or Prozac. These substances were administered orally for 21 days. On the final day, the forced swimming test was performed which initially involved a pretest lasting 15 minutes followed by a 5 minute real test. Following this, the rats were euthanized and their brain tissues were collected for analysis of monoamine concentrations.
Discussion on the results revealed that the Gan-Mai-Da-Zao-Tang group exhibited significantly reduced immobility time and certain monoamine turnover rates, and showed an increase in concentration of some neurotransmitters in the brain tissues compared to the control group. This indicates a potent antidepressant-like effect by modulating these monoamines concentrations. In contrast, the licorice, wheat, and jujube groups didn't display significant differences when compared with the control group. Prozac, the positive control, resulted in significant reductions in body weight and appetite.
