ArticleEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2013
Chinese herbal medicine and depression: the research evidence.
Article in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 48 citations in OpenAlex.
- Herbal Medicine for Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia.Current neuropharmacology · 2015Pooled it
- Proteomic Analysis of the Antidepressant Effects of Shen-Zhi-Ling in Depressed Patients: Identification of Proteins Associated with Platelet Activation and Lipid Metabolism.Cellular and molecular neurobiology · 2018Trial
- Insufficient Evidence to RecommendNeuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2025Review
- Targeting mitophagy for depression amelioration: a novel therapeutic strategy.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2023Review
- The clinical application of Chinese herbal medication to depression: A narrative review.Frontiers in public health · 2023Review
- Exploring the Potential Antidepressant Mechanisms of Pinellia by Using the Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.Metabolic brain disease · 2022Article
- Chaihu-shugan-san alleviates depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable stress by altering the gut microbiota and levels of the bile acids hyocholic acid and 7-ketoDCA.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022Article
- Identification of protein targets for the antidepressant effects ofNeural regeneration research · 2020Article
- Identification of the significant pathways of Banxia Houpu decoction in the treatment of depression based on network pharmacology.PloS one · 2020Article
- Article
- Standardized Citrus unshiu peel extract ameliorates dexamethasone-induced neurotoxicity and depressive-like behaviors in mice.Metabolic brain disease · 2018Article
- Article
- Treatment with Shuyu capsule increases 5-HT1AR level and activation of cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway in hippocampal neurons treated with serum from a rat model of depression.Molecular medicine reports · 2018Article
- The depressive-like behaviors of chronic unpredictable mild stress-treated mice, ameliorated by Tibetan medicine Zuotai: involvement in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis pathway.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2018Article
- Xingnao Jieyu Decoction Ameliorates Poststroke Depression through the BDNF/ERK/CREB Pathway in Rats.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2018Article
- Comparison of Effect ofJournal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR · 2017Article
- Involvement of the glutamate/glutamine cycle and glutamate transporter GLT-1 in antidepressant-like effects of Xiao Yao san on chronically stressed mice.BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2017Article
- Ziziphi spinosae lily powder suspension in the treatment of depression-like behaviors in rats.BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2017Article
- Prescription of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Pattern-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Depression: A Systematic Review.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2015Review
- Antidepressant-like activity of adhyperforin, a novel constituent of Hypericum perforatum L.Scientific reports · 2014Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background. Alternative approaches for managing depression are often sought and herbal mixtures are widely used in China. The aim of this paper was to provide an overall picture of the current evidence by analysing published systematic reviews and presenting a supplementary systematic review of trials in Western databases. Methods. Searches were conducted using AMED, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, and trial registers. Results were screened and selected trials were evaluated by two reviewers working independently. Systematic reviews were identified and assessed using key criteria. Results. Five systematic reviews were located addressing the Chinese literature, adjunctive use of Chinese herbs, and the formulae Chaihu-Shugan-San, Xiao Yao San, and Free and Easy Wanderer Plus. The supplementary review located 8 trials, 3 of which were not included in previous reviews. Positive results were reported: no significant differences from medication, greater effect than medication or placebo, reduced adverse event rates when combined or compared with antidepressants. However, limitations in methodology and reporting were revealed. Conclusions. Despite promising results, particularly for Xiao Yao San and its modifications, the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in depression could not be fully substantiated based on current evidence. Further well-designed, well-reported trials that reflect practice may be worth pursuing.
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.