Chaihu Shugan San exerts antidepressant effects by driving microglial M2 polarization via inhibition of the IL-1β/JNK signaling pathway.
Ren H, Liu K, Li J, Wang J, Wang H
Plant Medicine
PubMedIt shows that common garden and apothecary plants like licorice root and peony contain specific compounds that measurably reduce brain inflammation — a reminder that plants in your herb garden may carry far more biological power than we typically appreciate.
Scientists tested an old Chinese herbal remedy made from several plants, including licorice root and bupleurum, to understand exactly how it fights depression. They found that specific compounds in these plants calm overactive immune cells in the brain, reduce stress hormones, and boost feel-good chemicals like serotonin. Six plant-derived compounds — including ones from licorice and citrus peel — were confirmed as the key ingredients driving these effects.
Key Findings
The 95% ethanol extract of the herbal formula significantly elevated serotonin and dopamine while reducing stress hormones (corticosterone and ACTH) in animal depression models.
The formula suppressed brain immune cell (microglial) inflammation by inhibiting the IL-1β/JNK signaling pathway, shifting immune cells from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state.
Six specific plant compounds — albiflorin (peony), liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid (licorice), chlorogenic acid, naringin (citrus), and saikosaponin D (bupleurum) — were confirmed as quality markers and active antidepressant agents.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A traditional Chinese herbal formula called Chaihu Shugan San — built around plants like bupleurum, peony, and licorice — was shown to reduce depression-like symptoms in animal models by calming brain immune cells and lowering inflammation, offering a scientific basis for its centuries-old use.
Abstract Preview
Chaihu Shugan San (CSS) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula originally recorded in Jingyue Quanshu, historically used for regulating Qi and relieving depression. Its composition, cent...
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Bupleurum is a large genus of annual or perennial herbs or woody shrubs, with about 190 species, belonging to the family Apiaceae. The full size of its species may vary between a few cm to up to 3 m high. Their compound umbels of small flowers are adorned with bracteoles that are sometimes large ...