Chaihu Shugan San exerts antidepressant effects in female mice by suppressing hippocampal IL-6 and activating the cAMP-CaMKII-BDNF pathway - PubMed
2 days ago
- #Neuroplasticity
- #Depression
- #Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Chaihu Shugan San (CSS) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula used for treating mood disorders.
- The study investigates CSS's antidepressant effects in female mice, focusing on hippocampal IL-6 suppression and activation of the cAMP-CaMKII-BDNF pathway.
- CSS was administered to female mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), showing dose-dependent alleviation of depressive-like behaviors.
- CSS significantly reduced hippocampal IL-6 levels and increased cAMP, CaMKII activity, and BDNF expression.
- Acute IL-6 elevation negated CSS's antidepressant effects, and CaMKII inhibition blocked CSS-induced improvements.
- CSS demonstrated no adverse effects on anxiety or locomotion, highlighting its potential as a multi-targeted treatment for female-specific depression.