Randomised trial, 2010
Does a Chinese herbal medicine affect abnormal brain receptors in rats with PMS-like symptoms?
Yes, in rats with PMS-like symptoms, the herb Baixiangdan reduced abnormally high expression of a specific brain receptor involved in mood regulation.
What they did
Researchers randomly divided laboratory rats into three groups: normal, rats with induced PMS-like symptoms, and rats with induced PMS-like symptoms given Baixiangdan capsule at 10 g per kg of body weight daily for 5 days. They measured expression and location of a brain receptor called GABA(A) receptor beta2 in the hippocampus using microscopy and laboratory tests.
What they found
Compared to normal rats, PMS-model rats had significantly higher GABA(A) receptor beta2 expression with more concentrated distribution. Rats given Baixiangdan showed marked decreases in receptor expression and behavioral scores compared to untreated PMS-model rats.
What it means for you
This study suggests one possible brain mechanism in PMS might involve high expression of this specific receptor, and the herb appeared to normalize this. However, this is an animal study in rats, not women, so we cannot assume these results apply to human PMS.
10 g/kg
Daily dose of Baixiangdan
5
Days of herbal medicine treatment
About the study
- Original title
- [Effects of Baixiangdan capsule on location and expression levels of GABA(A) receptor beta2 subunit in hippocampus of PMS model rats with liver-qi invasion]
- Authors
- Chen Z, Sun S, Zhang H
- Journal
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Baixiangdan capsule at 10 g per kg of body weight daily for 5 days
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4268/cjcmm20101120
Topics
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