OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of bushen tiaogan qingxin recipe (BTQR) on Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD), monoamine meurotransmitter and endocrinal function in patients with climacteric depression, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSPatients were randomly divided into two groups, the 25 patients in the treated group treated with BTQR and 15 patients in the control group treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The HAMD scoring, levels of 5-HT, NE in plasma, serum estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined before and after treatment, and the thickness of endometrium was measured by B-Doppler ultrasonographic technique.

RESULTSThe total effective rate, evaluated by the HAMD score reducing rate, in the treated group was 87.2%, and in the control group was 67.3%, showing significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment, 5-HT decreased (P<0.01), NE increased (P<0.05) and 5-HT/NE ratio lowered (P<0.01) in the treated group; E2 increased in both groups; FSH, LH and FSH/LH ratio decreased in the treated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), FSH/LH ratio decreased in the control group (P<0.05). The thickness of endometrium increased in the control group after treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of BTQR in treating climacteric depression might be related with its actions in: (1) To regulate the synthesis and release of monoamine neurotransmitter; (2) To adjust reproductive endocrine function; (3) To coordinate the neuroendocrinal function.