Study on the Mechanism of Action of Chaihu Shugan San and Its Absorbed Components on Atherosclerosis-Depression Mod-el Mice
10.14148/j.issn.1672-0482.2025.1166
- VernacularTitle:柴胡疏肝散及其吸收成分对动脉粥样硬化共抑郁症模型小鼠的作用机制研究
- Author:
Le ZHANG
1
;
Wenya HUANG
1
;
Xi HUANG
1
Author Information
1. 南京中医药大学中西医结合学院,江苏南京 210023
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
atherosclerosis;
depression;
traditional Chinese medicine;
inflammatory factors
- From:
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;41(9):1166-1177
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of action of Chaihu Shugan San(CSS)and its absorbed components,Meranzin hydrate(MH)and ferulic acid(FA),on atherosclerosis(AS)and depression.METHODS An AS combined with depres-sion model was established in ApoE-/-mice,which were randomly divided into the blank group,model group,CSS group,MH group,and FA group.AS progression was evaluated through lipid profile analysis(TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C),aortic plaque analysis(Oil Red O staining),and cardiac function assessment.Behavioral tests,including the open field test,light/dark box test,tail suspension test,and forced swim test,were conducted to evaluate depressive-like behaviors.Hippocampal neuronal morphology changes were ob-served through Golgi staining.Serum inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),neurotransmitters(5-HT,BDNF),and vas-cular adhesion molecules(VCAM-1)were measured.16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiome composition.RE-SULTS Compared to the model group,the CSS,MH,and FA treatment groups showed improvements in several areas.First,signifi-cant reduction in AS lesions,lower blood lipid levels,and enhanced cardiovascular function were observed(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Sec-ond,depressive-like behaviors were improved,with stronger activity and less immobility time.Damage to neuronal dendritic spines was also repaired(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Additionally,serum levels of inflammatory cytokines,neurotransmitters,and vascu-lar adhesion molecules were reversed(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Finally,gut microbiome α and β diversity were regulated,and beneficial bacteria abundance was increased.CONCLUSION CSS exhibits the best effects in treating both AS and depression.The two absorption components,MH and FA,together contribute to the anti-AS and anti-depression effects.At the same concentration,MH shows better anti-AS and anti-depression effects than FA.
