Efficacy and Potential Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Formula Chaihu Shugan Powder on Animal Models of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Wu L, Deng Y, Yu L, Peng W, Li Y, Feng Y, Chen L, Huang P, Chen B · CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics · 2025 April

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of Chaihu Shugan powder (CSP) and its mechanisms in animal models of depression.

Conclusions

The study concluded that CSP has significant effects on various behaviors related to depression in animal models, such as forced swimming test (FST), sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT), and body weight.

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Insights

Chaihu Shugan powder shows promise in treating depression symptoms in animals, impacting factors such as inflammation, HPA axis regulation, neurotrophic factors, and glucose metabolism.

The methodology for the study was a systematic meta-analysis review of a range of databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and others with studies on CSP's antidepressant effects on animal models. Statistical analyses were conducted using R Studio software. The discussion of the study results reveals that CSP exhibited a notable effect on various behavioral tests for animal models of depression. Besides, it seemingly affected behavioral factors like forced swimming, sucrose preference, and open field test results such as rearing and crossing numbers. Its impact was also seen on body weight. CSP's therapeutic potential links to its anti-inflammatory qualities, its regulation of the HPA axis, contributions to neurotrophic factors, and the modulation of glucose metabolism.