The traditional Chinese herbal formula, Chaihu Shugan San, can potentially improve perimenopausal depression by altering brain functional network connectivity and hippocampus energy metabolism.
In the methodology, the researchers utilized a network pharmacology approach that included the use of a perimenopausal depression rat model. The network pharmacology analysis allowed the team to uncover how energy metabolism, neurotransmitter metabolism, inflammation, and hormone metabolic processes might contribute to the anti-depressive effects of the Chaihu Shugan San(CSS). They then measured the levels of estradiol, glutamate, and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the rat models using ELISA. In addition to this, they assessed the brain functional network connectivity between the hippocampus and other nearby brain regions using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, a targeted metabolomic analysis of the hippocampal tricarboxylic acid cycle was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
The results of this research suggest that CSS treatment can significantly improve the behavioral performance of the PMS+CUMS rat models. It has been observed that the CSS treatment was also able to decrease the serum glutamate levels while increasing the serum 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in these models. Moreover, the study also found that the brain functional connectivity between the hippocampus and other brain regions, which was negatively affected by PMS+CUMS, could be improved by CSS treatment. Within the metabolites present in the hippocampal tricarboxylic acid cycle, the concentrations of citrate were found to be improved upon CSS treatment.
