---
title: How does Shuyu capsule help depression during the premenstrual phase?
description: This mouse study shows the medicine may work by increasing specific brain nerve cells and reducing a receptor protein. Results cannot yet be confirmed in wome
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/shuyu-capsule-improves-estrous-cycle-dependent-depression-like-behavior-in-2025/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How does Shuyu capsule help depression during the premenstrual phase?

Lab study, 2025

# How does Shuyu capsule help depression during the premenstrual phase?

This mouse study shows the medicine may work by increasing specific brain nerve cells and reducing a receptor protein. Results cannot yet be confirmed in women with PMDD.

 Early or limited evidence

Female C57BL/6J and Vgat-Cre mice

## What they did

Researchers gave Shuyu capsule to female mice showing depression-like behavior at a specific cycle phase. They tested depression-like behavior using a swimming test. They measured active GABA nerve cells and a receptor protein in a brain region using microscopy. Some mice were genetically modified to test whether individual brain changes alone could improve depression-like behavior.

## What they found

After Shuyu capsule, mice showed less depression-like behavior during the late phase of their cycle. The medicine increased the number of active GABA nerve cells in the brain region studied. The medicine reduced a receptor protein called GABRD. Tests with genetically modified mice showed that increasing GABA nerve cells alone or reducing the receptor protein alone both improved depression-like behavior.

## What it means for you

The medicine may work by activating GABA nerve cells and reducing a specific receptor protein in the brain. However, these findings are from mouse studies, not women with PMDD. Human studies are needed to confirm the medicine helps women with PMDD.

2

mouse strains tested

## About the study

Original title Shuyu capsule improves estrous cycle-dependent depression-like behavior in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) mice by increasing GABAergic neuronal activation and downregulating GABA A R δ subunit expression in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) region Authors Xu J, Liu K, Cui Y et al. Journal Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B Year 2025 Study design Lab study What was tested Shuyu capsule Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1631/jzus.b2400410](https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.b2400410)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Systematic review, 2013

Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Survey study, 2026

What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Case-control study, 2009

Does alcohol use increase the risk of developing PMS or PMDD?

Review, 2002

What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗