Pathogenesis of Chronic Heart Failure with Anxiety and Depression and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Bupleuri Radix-based Formulas from Theory of Shaoyang Pivot
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250613
- VernacularTitle:基于少阳枢机理论探讨慢性心力衰竭伴焦虑抑郁病机及柴胡类方的作用机制
- Author:
Duoting TAN
1
;
Kun LIAN
1
;
Hao LIANG
1
;
Lichong MENG
1
;
Zhixi HU
1
Author Information
1. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）， Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 410208， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Shaoyang Pivot;
psycho-cardiological disease;
chronic heart failure;
state of anxiety and depression;
Bupleuri Radix-based formulas
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(16):156-164
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Chronic heart failure （CHF）， as the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases， is characterized by a prolonged clinical course and recurrent exacerbations. The coexistence of CHF with anxiety and depression falls under the category of psycho-cardiological diseases. Studies have demonstrated that anxiety and depression are closely associated with adverse outcomes including elevated risks of cardiovascular events and increased mortality in CHF patients. The complex pathogenesis poses challenges to modern medical treatments， which often face limited efficacy and concurrent side effects. According to the theory of Shaoyang Pivot in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， this paper elucidates that obstructed Shaoyang Pivot—manifested as Qi transformation disorder， dysregulated fluid metabolism， and abnormal distribution of ministerial fire-serves as a critical pathological basis for CHF with anxiety and depression. Bupleuri Radix-based Formulas， such as Xiao Chaihu Tang， Chaihu Guizhi Tang， and Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Tang， aim to harmonize lesser Yang to restore the Qi transformation， activate Yang to promote water excretion， and redistribute ministerial fire， thus effectively alleviating pathological states such as Qi stagnation， blood stasis， water retention， and phlegm-fire disturbing the heart in CHF patients with anxiety and depression. Consequently， they mitigate symptoms of this psycho-cardiological disease. Mechanism studies have revealed that Bupleuri Radix-based formulas exhibit multi-target effects， including modulation of neurotransmitters， suppression of inflammatory responses， regulation of lipid metabolism， protection of cardiomyocytes， and improvement of the endothelial function. By interpreting the TCM pathogenesis of CHF with anxiety and depression from the theory of Shaoyang Pivot， this paper delves into the therapeutic principles and mechanisms of Bupleuri Radix-based formulas， providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing TCM diagnosis and treatment strategies for psycho-cardiological diseases.
