--- title: Does a traditional Chinese medicine help premenstrual depression by changing serotonin receptors? description: In rats, Shuyu Capsules reduced depression-like symptoms and lowered abnormally high serotonin receptors in the brain, working similarly to the antidepressant url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/shuyu-capsules-relieve-premenstrual-syndrome-depression-by-reducing-5-ht-3a-r-2016/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a traditional Chinese medicine help premenstrual depression by changing serotonin receptors? Lab study, 2016 # Does a traditional Chinese medicine help premenstrual depression by changing serotonin receptors? In rats, Shuyu Capsules reduced depression-like symptoms and lowered abnormally high serotonin receptors in the brain, working similarly to the antidepressant fluoxetine. This was an animal study. Early or limited evidence Female rats with PMS depression model ## What they did Researchers created rats with depression-like symptoms from PMS. They divided these rats into three groups: untreated model rats, rats treated with Shuyu Capsules, and rats treated with fluoxetine, an antidepressant. They measured serotonin receptor levels in the frontal lobe and hippocampus and tested depression-like behavior. ## What they found Model rats showed depression-like symptoms that both Shuyu Capsules and fluoxetine reduced. Depression-prone model rats had higher levels of 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R (types of serotonin receptors) in the frontal lobe and hippocampus compared to control rats. Shuyu Capsules lowered these receptor levels. Model rats had higher 5-HT 3 channel currents (electrical activity). Shuyu treatment lowered these currents to near-normal levels, similar to fluoxetine. ## What it means for you Shuyu Capsules may help premenstrual depression by normalizing serotonin receptor activity in the brain. It worked about as well as fluoxetine in this animal model. However, this was only in rats, and we don't know if it would work the same way in women. ## About the study Original title Shuyu Capsules Relieve Premenstrual Syndrome Depression by Reducing 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R Expression in the Rat Brain Authors Li F, Feng J, Gao D et al. Journal Neural plasticity Year 2016 Study design Lab study What was tested Shuyu Capsules Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1155/2016/7950781](https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7950781) Original abstract The effects of the Shuyu capsule on 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression in a rat model of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) depression and on 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and hippocampal neuron 5-HT 3 channel current were investigated, to elucidate its mechanism of action against PMS depression. PMS depression model rats were divided into depression and Shuyu- and fluoxetine-treated groups, which were compared to control rats for frontal lobe and hippocampal 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and behavior. The depressed model rats displayed symptoms of depression, which were reduced in treated and normal control rats. Frontal lobe and hippocampal 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R levels were significantly higher in the model versus the control group and were significantly lower in the Shuyu group. As compared to control rats, the 5-HT 3 R channel current in the model group was significantly higher; the 5-HT 3 R channel current in hippocampal neurons treated with serum from Shuyu group rats was significantly lower than that in those treated with model group serum. Thus, PMS depression may be related to 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and increased 5-HT 3 channel current. Shuyu capsules rectified abnormal 5-HT 3A R and 5-HT 3B R expression and 5-HT 3 channel current changes in a rat model; this finding may provide insight into treating PMS depression. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[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 Review, 2015 What treatments work best for PMDD and PMS? 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? Systematic review, 2008 What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD? Review, 2004 What is PMDD and how is it treated? Survey study, 2026 What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗