--- title: Can Kamishoyosan, a traditional Japanese medicine, help with anxiety from hormone changes? description: In a rat model, Kamishoyosan reduced anxiety-like behavior caused by stopping progesterone. The effect appeared to work through a brain chemical called seroto url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/kamishoyosan-alleviates-anxiety-like-behavior-in-a-premenstrual-syndrome-rat-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can Kamishoyosan, a traditional Japanese medicine, help with anxiety from hormone changes? Lab study, 2022 # Can Kamishoyosan, a traditional Japanese medicine, help with anxiety from hormone changes? In a rat model, Kamishoyosan reduced anxiety-like behavior caused by stopping progesterone. The effect appeared to work through a brain chemical called serotonin, but we don't yet know if it would work the same way in women. Early or limited evidence Female rats in a model of stopping progesterone ## What they did Female rats were given progesterone daily for 21 days. Two days after the last dose, they were tested for anxiety-like behavior. Kamishoyosan was given by mouth 1 hour before the test. Researchers also measured serotonin levels in specific parts of the rat brain. ## What they found Kamishoyosan clearly reduced anxiety-like behavior. When a drug that blocks serotonin was given, Kamishoyosan's effect went away. Kamishoyosan increased serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in mood and thinking. ## What it means for you This is an animal study, so we cannot be sure it would work the same way in women. It suggests Kamishoyosan might help anxiety by affecting serotonin levels, but human studies are needed to know if it actually works for PMS in people. 21 days Duration of progesterone given to rats 48 hours Time after final dose before anxiety test 1 hour Time before test when Kamishoyosan was given ## About the study Original title Kamishoyosan Alleviates Anxiety-like Behavior in a Premenstrual Syndrome Rat Model Authors Iba-Tanaka H, Watanabe T, Harada K et al. Journal Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM Year 2022 Study design Lab study What was tested Kamishoyosan (a traditional Japanese herbal medicine) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1155/2022/2801784](https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2801784) Original abstract Kamishoyosan (KSS) is a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine that is prescribed for hormonal change-induced mood disorders including premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In clinical studies, KSS exhibited ameliorative effects on mood symptoms of PMS, such as anxiety and irritability. However, the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of KSS is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of serotonergic machinery in the anxiolytic effects of KSS on hormonally-induced anxiety-like behavior in progesterone withdrawal (PWD) rats, which were used as a model of PMS. Female rats were injected with progesterone daily for 21 days. At 48 h after the final progesterone injection, anxiety-like behavior was evaluated using the elevated plus maze. KSS was administered orally to PWD rats 1 h prior to the test and significantly attenuated PWD-induced anxiety-like behavior. This ameliorative effect of KSS was reversed by WAY-100635, a serotonin (5-HT) 1A receptor antagonist. The effect of KSS on serotonergic transmission in the prefrontal cortex of PWD rats was also evaluated using an in vivo microdialysis procedure. KSS significantly increased the extracellular 5-HT level in the prefrontal cortex of PWD rats. In conclusion, our results suggest that KSS alleviates PWD-induced anxiety-like behavior at least partly by activating 5-HT 1A receptors and enhancing serotonergic transmission. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Guideline, 2024 How should Xiangshao Granules be prescribed for premenstrual tension syndrome? Systematic review, 2021 Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating? Systematic review, 2008 What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD? Randomised trial, 2025 Does Nigella sativa reduce PMS symptoms in women? Review, 2023 Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms? Non-randomised trial, 2019 Does exercising before your period help with pain and anxiety? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗