Erxian Decoction, a famous Chinese medicine formula, ameliorate depression-like behavior in perimenopausal mice.

Aims The present study was performed in order to find out the anti-depression effect of Erxian Decoction in perimenopausal mice. Background Erxian Decoction (EXD) has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome, but it has not been researched on perimenopausal depression. Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of extraction of Erxian Decoction on perimenopausal depressive mice. Methods In this study, female ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: Low, medium and high dose of EXD groups (0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 g/kg), soy isoflavones group (250 mg/kg) and Sham group. The mice in the Sham group received sham surgery (within ovaries), and the others were excised with bilateral ovaries and exerted by 28-day chronic mild unpredictable stimulation for the establishment of a perimenopausal depression model. Results Behavioral tests showed that EXD could relieve depression symptoms and improve spatial memory in mice. Western blotting showed that EXD significantly up-regulated the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Bcl-2 in hippocampus and estrogen receptors (ERs) in the uterus and adrenals, protecting hippocampal tissue and antagonizing the symptoms of estrogen deficiency in mice, which was further proved within a uterine morphology test. In addition, EXD reduced the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and interleukin-6. Conclusion These results indicated that EXD can regulate hormone secretion and recover hippocampal damage in perimenopausal depressed mice. Besides, it can antagonize the symptoms of ovarian hormone deficiency as well as relieve perimenopausal syndrome.