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.
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
Topics
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