Bidirectional modulation of depression disorder through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and gut-brain axis from the perspective of simultaneous treatment of the liver and spleen
10.3969/j.issn.1006-2157.2025.07.002
- VernacularTitle:从肝脾同治视角探讨下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴与肠脑轴双向调节抑郁症
- Author:
Nan NAN
1
;
Wenzhi HAO
;
Lin LI
;
Yueyun LIU
;
Jiaxu CHEN
Author Information
1. 北京中医药大学中医学院 北京 100029
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
depression disorder;
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis;
gut-brain axis;
stagnation of liver qi and spleen deficiency;
Xiaoyao Powder
- From:
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;48(7):896-902
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
As a major global public health concern,the incidence of depression disorder is increasing annually.The pathological mechanism of depression involves bidirectional dysregulation between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)and gut-brain axes.According to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the liver controls conveyance and dispersion,the spleen governs transportation and transformation,and both jointly maintain the balance between ascending and descending qi movement and zang fu viscera function in the body.Liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency result in qi movement disorder and a lack of source qi and blood,leading to depression induced by malnutrition of heart spirit.As a classic prescription for soothing the liver,invigorating the spleen,and replenishing blood,Xiaoyao Powder is used to reinforce healthy qi and eliminate pathogenic factors.Xiaoyao Powder not only regulates the"yin in property of liver"but also strengthens the"ascending and descending"of the spleen.As commonly used by ancient and modern physicians,also indirectly inhibits HPA axis upregulation and improves depression-related gastrointestinal dysfunction.This paper systematically expounds the multi-dimensional mechanism of Xiaoyao Powder in treating depression through the two-way regulation of the HPA-gut-brain axis.It reveals the therapeutic characteristics of"multi-component and multi-target"in TCM to provide a novel theoretical basis for the modernization of TCM and the treatment of depression by combining TCM and Western medicine.
