Antidepressant Active Components of Bupleurum chinense DC-Paeonia lactiflora Pall Herb Pair: Pharmacological Mechanisms

Abstract

Depression is a serious psychological disorder with a rapidly increasing incidence in recent years. Clinically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the main therapy. These drugs, have serious adverse reactions, however. Traditional Chinese medicine has the characteristics of multiple components, targets, and pathways, which has huge potential advantages for the treatment of depression. The antidepressant potential of the herbal combination of Bupleurum chinense DC (Chaihu) and Paeonia lactiflora Pall (Baishao) has been extensively studied previously. In this review, we summarized the antidepressant active components and mechanism of Chaihu-Baishao herb pair. We found that it works mainly through relieving oxidative stress, regulating HPA axis, and protecting neurons. Nevertheless, current research of this combined preparation still faces many challenges. On one hand, most of the current studies only stay at the level of animal models, lacking of sufficient clinical double-blind controlled trials for further verification. In addition, studies on the synergistic effect between different targets and signaling pathways are scarce. On the other hand, this preparation has numerous defects such as poor stability, low solubility, and difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier.

1. Introduction

Major depressive disorder, also known as depression, is a chronic, recurrent, and potentially life-threatening severe mental disorder [1]. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the main cause of disability in the world; more than 350 million people worldwide are suffering from depression, which increases the risk of death at any age, reduces the quality of life of depressed patients, and creates a burden on families and society. Clinically, Western medicine treatments such as the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the main treatment for depression, but most of these compounds have issues that include delayed effects, high nonresponse rates, nausea, headaches, chronic sexual dysfunction, and weight gain [1–3].Therefore, it is important to develop more beneficial drugs for the treatment of depression. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has great potential in the treatment of depression because of its multiple components that can act on multiple targets and pathways [4]. Some Chinese medicine formulas have significant effects on the treatment of depression with low toxicity and little to no side effects [5]. Therefore, in order to avoid the side effects and adverse reactions caused by Western medical treatments, scientific researchers have turned to TCM and its active ingredients as a way to treat depression [1].

Bupleurum chinense DC (Chaihu) is made from the dried roots of the Bupleurum plant. It is an herbal medicine that regulates and relieves liver qi. Modern research has found that Bupleurum chinense and its active ingredients have immunomodulatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, and other pharmacological effects [6]. Paeonia lactiflora Pall (Baishao) is a traditional herb with a bitter, sour, and slightly cold taste. It can be used alone or as part of a drug combination. Modern pharmacological research shows that Baishao has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and immunoregulatory properties as well as other functions [7]. The Chaihu-Baishao herbal combination is used in many antidepressant TCM compounds, such as Xiaoyao San, Chaihu Shugan San, and Sini San [8]. In this review, the research on the treatment of depression with the main active ingredients of the Chaihu-Baishao herb pair is summarized to provide a reference for future basic research and clinical applications.

2. Antidepressant mMchanisms of Chaihu-Baishao

2.1. Active Compounds in Chaihu-Baishao Inhibit Inflammation and Relieve Oxidative Stress

There is a large amount of evidence supporting the link between depression and inflammatory processes. It has been shown that inflammation increases an individual's susceptibility to depression. There is an increase in proinflammatory markers in patients with depression, and the use of proinflammatory drugs can increase the risk of depression [9]. Studies have found that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Patients with depression have elevated levels of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, along with decreased levels of glutathione peroxidase [10]. Some scholars have found that 8-hydroxydeoxyglucose and F2 isoprostaglandin are found in patients with depression through meta-analysis. It is also believed that depression is accompanied by increased oxidative damage [11]. There is much evidence that inflammation-related diseases can be treated with various traditional medicines containing a variety of active natural compounds [12]. When antidepressants are used, the levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines in patients with depression are reduced [13]. Therefore, inhibiting inflammation and relieving oxidative stress are important for the treatment of depression. Several of the previously studied active compounds of traditional medicines are reviewed below.

Saikosaponin D is a triterpene saponin compound extracted from Chaihu and has various pharmacological effects such as counteracting inflammation [14] and oxidative stress [15]. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are proinflammatory cytokines that regulate oxidative stress, apoptosis, and metabolism and cause damage to the branching process of neurons, which will in turn affect neuronal function [1]. Microglia's are the innate immune cells of the central nervous system and play a vital role in the process of neuroinflammation; they are found in abundance in the cerebrospinal fluid of depressed patients. A series of proinflammatory factors released by activated microglia were detected. In a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression model, Su et al. gave mice an intraperitoneal injection of Saikosaponin D and found that it can improve the depression-like behavior of the mice and inhibit both the overexpression of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6, and 1 L-1β, and the activation of microglia induced by LPS in the mouse hippocampus [16]. The observed anti-inflammatory effect was also correlated with the inhibition of the high mobility group protein 1/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. The NF-κB pathway is a typical inflammatory pathway, which can regulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines, leukocyte recruitment, or cell survival and cause the body to produce an inflammatory response [17]. It has been reported that Saponin D can downregulate the expression of NF-κB in rat hippocampal neurons and improve the depression-like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) by downregulating Mir-155 expression and upregulating fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) expression [18]. Quercetin is a flavonoid compound widely found in fruits and vegetables that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer effects [19]. It has been reported that quercetin can reverse the increase in lipid hydroperoxide content, induced by olfactory bulbectomy, in the hippocampus and improve the depression-like behavior of mice via a mechanism that is correlated with the enhancement of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor expression [20].

Kaempferol is the main component of a variety of fruits and vegetables. Using a mouse depression model based on chronic social defeat stress, Gao et al. found that after intraperitoneal injection of kaempferol, the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of these mice was alleviated [21]. Kaempferol was also found to increase the activity of P-serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT) and β-catenin, but after using PI3-K inhibitors, the overall protective effect mediated by kaempferol was partially inhibited, indicating that kaempferol can enhance the antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory effects by enhancing the activity of the AKT/β-catenin cascade, thereby treating depression [21]. Additionally, caffeic acid, a catechol compound, is widely distributed in fruits, tea, and wine. In the LPS-induced depression model in mice, caffeic acid was found to reverse both the reduction of brain glutathione levels and the increase of malondialdehyde and proinflammatory cytokines [22]. Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound widely found in a variety of herbal medicines. There is evidence that in mouse models of cortisol (CORT)-induced depression, ferulic acid can improve the behavioral performance of depressed mice and simultaneously reduce malondialdehyde, nitrite, and protein carbonylation levels in the brain and increase nonprotein sulfhydryl levels [23]. Liu et al. found that administration of ferulic acid can reverse the CUMS-induced upregulation of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, in the prefrontal cortex of mice and the activation of microglia, NF-κB signaling, and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome [24]. Gallic acid is a secondary plant metabolite, which is commonly found in many plant-based foods and beverages and has antioxidant activity. In a mouse model of poststroke depression (PSD), Nabavi et al. found that oxidative stress is closely related to the pathological process of stroke and PSD, and gallic acid can exert an antidepressant effect by inhibiting oxidative stress [25]. Paeoniflorin is one of the main biologically active ingredients extracted from the root of Paeonia lactiflora, which has antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological effects [26]. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a member of the Gasdermin conserved protein family. When cell pyrolysis occurs, Caspase-1 is activated, which directly leads to GSDMD cleavage. GSDMD is cleaved out of the C-terminal and N-terminal domains that binds to the phospholipid protein on the cell membrane, resulting in the formation of cell membrane holes that cause cell rupture, cell content outflow, and a massive release of inflammatory factors. GSDMD can also activate Caspase-1 activation induced by NLRP3 [27]. Reports have shown that paeoniflorin can inhibit the expression of GSDMD, caspase-11, Caspase-1, NLRP3, IL-1β, and other proteins involved in pyroptosis signal transduction in microglia, as well as reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of depression [28]. FGF2 is a neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory factor involved in regulating the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of neurons in the brain. In a mouse depression model induced by LPS, Cheng et al. found that paeoniflorin can inhibit LPS-induced TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling in the hippocampus of mice, reduce the level of proinflammatory cytokines and microglia activation, and at the same time, increase neuronal FGF2 levels and dendritic spine density [29]. Neuropathic pain is a clinical problem that causes comorbid pain and depression. In a neuropathic pain mouse model, Bai et al. found that paeoniflorin can significantly improve the hyperalgesia and depression-like behavior of mice, reduce the level of proinflammatory cytokines, inhibit the excessive activation of microglia, and reduce the pathological damage of hippocampal cells in a way that is similar to the inhibition of the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway related proteins [30]. Interferon-α (IFN-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine with antiviral and antiproliferative effects. It is widely used in cancer. However, studies have found that about 30%–50% of patients have symptoms of depression after receiving IFN-α treatment. Li et al. found that administration of paeoniflorin can improve the IFN-α-induced depression-like behavior in mice, while reducing inflammation levels in the serum, medial prefrontal cortex, ventral hippocampus, and amygdala [31]. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, and depression is one of its common complications. It was found that administration of paeoniflorin can inhibit the activity of the high-mobility group box 1 protein/TLR4/NF-κB pathway and alleviate the level of inflammation in the serum and hippocampus, thereby treating lupus-induced depression [32]. Through component identification, Li found that Chaihu-Baishao mainly contain saikosaponin A, saikosaponin D, saikosaponin C, saikosaponin B2, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, and oxypaeoniflorin, and then combined with network pharmacology and metabolomics. Li found that Chaihu-Baishao plays an antidepressant effect by regulating arachidonic acid metabolism, the expression of Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1(PTGS1) and Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2(PTGS2) targets [8]. He et al. analyzed the changes of chemical constituents before and after the combination of Chaihu-Baishao by UPLC-MS background subtraction and metabolomics, founding that saikosaponin A, 3′-O-acetylation of saikosaponin A, and 4′-O-acetylation of saikosaponin A decreased after compatibility with Chaihu, and paeoniflorin, gallic acidpaeoniflorin or their isomers increased [33]. Sini Powder is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. In the prescription, Chaihu plays a major role, and Baishao plays an auxiliary role. It has the effect of soothing the liver and regulating the spleen [34]. It has been reported that Sini Powder can improve depression-like behavior and neuronal pathological damage in the hippocampus in CUMS rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway [35]. In clinical studies, Sini Powder can effectively improve depression in cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes and functional dyspepsia, and improve clinical efficacy [36–38] (Figure 1 and Table 1).

Figure 1.

Active compounds in Chaihu-Baishao inhibit inflammation and relieve oxidative stress. TLR4: Toll-like receptor 4; NLRP3: nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3; NF-κB: nuclear transcription factor-κB; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IL-6: interleukin-6; IL-1β: interleukin-1β.

Table 1.

Active compounds in Bupleurum chinense DC-Paeonia lactiflora Pall herb pair inhibit inflammation and relieve oxidative stress.

Compound	Model	Animal species	Dosage	Behaviour involved	Mechanism of action/main indicators	References
Saikosaponin D	LPS	Male ICR mice	1 mg/kg	OFT, TST, FST, and SPT	Inhibition of microglia activation, the activity of TLR4/NF-κB pathway HMGB1 translocation, and proinflammatory cytokines ↓	[16]
Quercetin	CUMS	Male SD rat	0.75, 1.5 mg/kg	OFT, TST, and FST, SPT	NF-κB↓, FGF2↑, and miR-155↓	[18]
	OB	Female SWISS mice	10, 25, 50 mg/kg	FST, TST, OFT, and ST	LOOH↓	[20]
Kaempferol	CSDS	Male CD1 and C57 mice	10, 20 mg/kg	SPT, SIT, and TST	SOD↑, MDA↓, CAT↑, GPx↑, GST↑, P-AKT↑, and β-catenin↑	[21]
Caffeic acid	LPS	Male Swiss albino mice	30 mg/kg	OFT, FST, and TST	IL-6↓, MDA↓, GSH↑, and TNF-α↓	[22]
Ferulic acid	CORT	Male Swiss mice	1 mg/kg	TST, OFT, and ST	MDA↓, nitrite↓, and protein carbonylation↓	[23]
	CUMS	Male ICR mice	20,40, 80 mg/kg	SPT and TST	IL-1β,I L-6, TNF-α mRNA↓, NF-κB↓ P-NF-κB/NF-κB↓, and inhibition of PFC microglia activation	[24]
Gallic acid	BCCAO	Male balb/c mice	25, 50 mg/kg	TST and SPT	Antioxidant stress	[25]
Paeoniflorin	RESP/LSP/ATP	Male C57BL/6 Mice	10, 20, 40 mg/kg	OFT, TST, and FST	Dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region↑, NLRP3↓, CASP-11↓, CASP-1↓, GSDMD↓, IL-1β, and microglia activation ↓	[28]
	LPS	Male ICR mice	20, 40, 80 mg/kg	SPT and FST	FGF2↑, IL-6↓, TNF-α↓, TLR4↓, P-NF-κB↓, NLRP3↓, Cox-2↓, and dendritic spine density in CA3 area of hippocampus ↑	[29]
	Cuff	SPF male Balb/c mice	50, 100 mg/kg	SPT, FST, and TST	Inflammation in hippocampal CA3 area ↓, IL-6↓, TNF-α↓, IL-1↓, microglia activation ↓, and TLR4/NF-κB pathway ↓	[30]
	IFN-α	Male C57BL/6Jmice	10, 20, 40 mg/kg	SPT, OFT, TST, and FST	Serum, mPFC, vHi, and amygdala inflammation levels↓	[31]
	SLE	Wild type mice and MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/ 2 J (MRL/lpr) mice	20 mg/kg	SPT, TST, and FST	Activity of HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway↓, serum, and hippocampus contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6↓	[32]

Notes: OFT: open field test; TST: tail suspension test; FST: forced swimming test; SPT: sucrose preference test; TLR4: Toll-like receptor 4; NF-κB: nuclear transcription factor-κB; HMGB1: High mobility group box 1; FGF2: fibroblast growth factor 2; LOOH: lipid hydroperoxides; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; MDA: malondialdehyde; CAT: catalase; GST: Glutathione S-transferase; AKT: serine/threonine protein kinase; IL-6: interleukin-6; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; NLRP3: nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3; CASP-11: Caspase-11; CASP-1: Caspase-1; GSDMD: Gasdermin D; IL-1β: interleukin-1β; TLR4: Toll-like receptor 4; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; CUMS: chronic unpredictable mild stress; OB: olfactory bulbectomy; CSDS: Chronic social stress defeat; CORT: cortisol; BCCAO: brain ischemia-reperfusion; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; IFN-α: Interferon-α; SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus.

2.2. Active Compounds in Chaihu-Baishao Regulate the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

The HPA axis is an important part of the neuroendocrine system and helps control the response to stress. When the HPA axis is activated, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which sends a signal to the anterior pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream, and in turn, ACTH acts on the adrenal cortex to stimulate the secretion of CORT [39]. HPA axis hyperfunction is an important factor in the onset of depression as evidenced by increases in corticotropin-releasing hormone, ACTH, and glucocorticoid, an imbalance in the HPA axis negative feedback, an enlargement of the pituitary and adrenal glands, and the onset of hypercortisolemia that are seen in some depression patients [40].

Saikosaponin A, a triterpene saponin extracted from Bupleurum, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects [41]. In the perimenopausal depression model of female rats induced by CUMS, Saikosaponin A can improve the behavioral performance of these rats and reduce CRH mRNA, CRH protein, and serum CORT levels in the rat hypothalamus, while inhibiting the overexpression of hippocampal proinflammatory cytokines induced by CUMS [42]. Li et al. found that Saikosaponin D promotes hippocampal neurogenesis, alleviates the weight loss of rats induced by CUMS, and increases the sucrose consumption of rats and the movement distance in the open field test (OFT). They also found that it reduces the immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST), serum CORT levels, the inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor expression, and nuclear translocation induced by CUMS [43]. Adriamycin is a commonly used antitumor drug that has many adverse reactions. A previous study exploring the effect of quercetin on anxiety and depression-like behavior caused by Adriamycin showed that quercetin can improve the anxiety and depression-like behavior of rats, reduce serum CORT levels, inhibit the hyperactivity of the HPA axis, relieve brain oxidative damage, and regulate rat immune function [44]. Studies have also found that the combination of ferulic acid and levetiracetam improves epilepsy complicated by depression, restores serum CORT levels, and reduces the activity of proinflammatory cytokines and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the mouse brain [45]. Prenatal stress (PS) can increase the generation of depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other negative emotions and behaviors in offspring. After giving ferulic acid to rats in a prenatal stress model, Zheng et al. found that ferulic acid can exert an antidepressant effect by inhibiting the HPA axis activity and hippocampal inflammation in offspring rats [46]. Similarly, paeoniflorin can treat prenatal stress-induced depression-like behavior in rat offspring by promoting the nuclear translocation of glucocorticoid receptors, inhibiting the expression of a series of proteins and the formation of complexes (such as SNAP25), and inhibiting stress-induced HPA axis hyperactivity [47]. In FST-induced depression in rats, paeoniflorin can alleviate both the hyperactivity of the HPA axis and oxidative damage, increase plasma and hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and promote gastrointestinal movement [48]. In a rat model of menopausal depression induced by CUMS combined with ovariectomy, Huang et al. found that paeoniflorin can improve the depression-like behavior of rats, while inhibiting both the overactivity of the HPA axis and the overexpression of the serotonin (5-HT_2A) receptor and upregulating the expression of the 5-HT_1A receptor in the brain [49]. Protocatechuic acid ethyl ester (PCA) is a phenolic compound with neuroprotective effects. It has been reported that acute restraint stress can induce depression-like behavior in mice through neuronal oxidative damage, upregulation of HPA axis activity, and increases in serum CORT levels, all of which were reversed after PCA was administered [50] (Figure 2 and Table 2).

Figure 2.

Active compounds in Chaihu-Baishao regulate the HPA axis. HPA: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; CORT: cortisol; ACTH: adrenocorticotropic; CRH: corticotropin-releasing.

Table 2.

Active compounds in Bupleurum chinense DC-Paeonia lactiflora Pall herb pair regulate the HPA axis.

Compound	Model	Animal species	Dosage	Behaviour involved	Mechanism of action/main indicators	References
Saikosaponin A	CUMS	Female Wistar rat	25, 50, 100 mg/kg	SPT, FST, and NSFT	Hypothalamus CRH mRNA, CRH protein↓, hippocampal proinflammatory cytokine↓, and CORT↓	[42]
Saikosaponin D	CUMS	Male SD rat	0.75, 1.5 mg/kg	SPT, OFT, and FST	CORT↓, GR↑, weight ↑, p-CREB↑, BDNF↑, and promoting the generation of hippocampal neurons	[43]
Quercetin	Adriamycin	Male Wistar rat	60 mg/kg	FST, OFT, and EPM	CORT↓, relieving brain oxidative stress damage, and regulating immune function	[44]
Ferulic acid	Pentylenetetrazole kindling epilepsy	Male Swiss albino mice	40, 80 mg/kg	TST, SPT	CORT↓, TNF-α↓, and IL-1β↓	[45]
	PS	Female, male SD rats	12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg	SPT, OFT, and FST	Serum ACTH↓, CORT↓, hippocampus GR↑, inhibiting hippocampal inflammation, and improving neuronal damage in hippocampal CA3 area	[46]
Paeoniflorin	PS	Female, male SD rats	15, 30, 60 mg/kg	SPT, FST, and OFT	Serum CRH, ACTH, CORT↓, and relieving neuronal damage in hippocampal CA3 area	[47]
	FST	Male SD rat	10 mg/kg	FST and OFT	Promote gastrointestinal motility, plasma motilin↑, CRH↓, ACTH↓, CORT↓, BDNF↓, norepinephrine↑, and oxidative stress↓	[48]
	CUMS	SD female rats	45 mg/kg	OFT and SPT	HPA axis activity↓, brain 5-HT2AR↓, and brain 5-HT1AR↑	[49]
Protocatechuic acid	ARS	Male, female, Swiss albino mice	100, 200 mg/kg	FST and OFT	Serum CORT↓ and hippocampal oxidative stress↓,	[50]

Note: CUMS: chronic unpredictable mild stress; PS: Prenatal stress; FST: forced swimming test; ARS: Acute restraint stress; SPT: sucrose preference test; NSFT: novelty suppressed feeding test; OFT: open field test; EPM: Elevated Plus Maze; CRH: corticotropin-releasing hormone; GR: Glucocorticoid Receptor; BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone; HPA: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; 5-HT: serotonin; MDA: malondialdehyde; CORT: cortisol.

2.3. Active Compounds in Chaihu-Baishao Regulate Monoamine Neurotransmitters

Monoamine neurotransmitters are central neurotransmitters that are mainly catecholamines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, and indoleamines, such as 5-HT. Dopamine (DA) is an important regulator of learning and motivation [51]. 5-HT and norepinephrine are mainly involved in the regulation of emotional cognition and sleep, and when monoamine neurotransmitters are disordered, they can cause various emotional changes [40]. The classic monoamine hypothesis in depression predicts that the underlying pathophysiological basis of depression is the depletion of monoamine neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. The serum levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites can be used as important biomarkers for the diagnosis of depression, and drugs that increase the synaptic concentration of monoamines can improve the symptoms of depression [1].

It has been reported that Saikosaponin A can improve CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors in rats, and its antidepressant effect is believed to be related to the increase of dopamine content in the hippocampus of rats and the upregulation of hippocampal Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 expression [52]. Similarly, in the same animal model of depression, Khan et al. found that quercetin can improve the behavioral performance of depressed mice, increase brain 5-HT levels, alleviate CUMS-induced brain inflammation and oxidative damage, and reduce brain glutamate levels [53]. There is evidence that in restraint stress-induced depression and anxiety models in mice, quercetin can treat anxiety and depression by regulating 5-HT and cholinergic neurotransmission and antioxidative damage as well as enhancing memory after restraint stress [54]. Acetylcholinesterase has the effect of terminating cholinergic neurotransmission [55]. Arsenic is an element that naturally exists in food, soil, and water. Exposure to arsenic can cause memory disorders, anxiety, depression, and other neurological perturbations and diseases. Samad et al. found that gallic acid can reverse the excessive increase in acetylcholinesterase activity induced by arsenic, alleviate the brain oxidative stress damage caused by arsenic, and protect memory function [56]. Additionally, gallic acid can also exert an antidepressant effect by increasing 5-HT and catecholamine levels in synaptic clefts in the central nervous system [57]. There are also reports showing that in olfactory bulbectomy-induced animal depression models, PCA can shorten the immobility time of rats in the OFT, increase the distance explored in the OFT, increase rat hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT, DA, and norepinephrine) and BDNF levels, reduce hippocampal CORT levels, and alleviate hippocampal neuroinflammation and oxidative damage [58]. It has been reported that Chaihu-Baishao can effectively improve postoperative depression and diarrhea in patients with colorectal cancer by regulating the imbalance of monoamine neurotransmitters (DA and 5-HT) [59] (Figure 3 and Table 3).

Figure 3.

Active compounds in Chaihu-Baishao regulate monoamine neurotransmitters. 5-HT: serotonin; DA: dopamine; NE: norepinephrine.

Table 3.

Active compounds in Bupleurum chinense DC-Paeonia lactiflora Pall herb pair regulate monoamine neurotransmitters.

Compound	Model	Animal species	Dosage	Behaviour involved	Mechanism of action/main indicators	References
Saikosaponin A	CUMS	Male SD rat	50 mg/kg	OFT and SPT	Weight↑, hippocampus DA↑, and hippocampus PRRT2↑	[52]
Quercetin	CUMS	Male Swiss albino mice	25 mg/kg	MFST, TST, and OFT	Brain5-HT↑, brain glutamate, IL-6, TNF-α↓, and relieving brain oxidative stress	[53]
	Restraint stress	Male Albaino wistar mice	20 mg/kg/ml	FST, LDA, EPM, and MWM	Prevent oxidase damage, regulate 5-HT, and cholinergic	[54]
Gallic acid	iAS	SD male rat	50, 100 mg/kg	EPM, LDA, FST, and MWM	Relieve brain oxidative stress and brain AChE↓	[56]
Protocatechuic acid	OB	Male Wistar rat	100, 200 mg/kg	FST and OFT	Hippocampus 5-HT, norepinephrine, DA↑, hippocampus BNDF↑, hippocampus TNF-α, IL-6, CORT, and hippocampus oxidase damage↓	[58]

Note: LDA: Light-dark activity box; iAS: Arsenic; OB: olfactory bulbectomy; MWM: Morris water maze; FST: forced swimming test; EPM: Elevated Plus Maze; OFT: open field test; 5-HT: serotonin; CORT: cortisol; IL-6: interleukin-6; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; AChE: acetylcholinesterase; DA: dopamine; BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; MFST: Modified Forced Swim Test; OB: olfactory bulbectomy; TST: tail suspension test; CUMS: chronic unpredictable mild stress.

2.4. Active Compounds in Chaihu-Baishao Promote Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Regulate BDNF Levels

BDNF is a widely studied growth factor that plays an important role in neuronal maturation, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity in the brain [60]. The “neurotrophic theory” posits that neurons will lose access to trophic factors as the expression level of BDNF decreases, leading to neuronal atrophy, decreased synaptic plasticity, and the onset of depression [61]. The optimization of BDNF levels helps synaptic plasticity and remodeling, improves neuronal damage, and relieves depression [62]. There is evidence that increasing the expression of BDNF in hippocampal astrocytes can treat depression and anxiety and stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis [63]. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis involves the proliferation, survival, differentiation, and integration of newborn neurons into preexisting neuronal networks [64]. There is evidence that hippocampal volume, the number of granular cells in the anterior and middle dentate gyrus, and the volume of the granular cell layer decrease in patients with depression [65], whereas increasing adult hippocampal neurogenesis can improve depression and anxiety [66].

Depression is also one of the common complications after stroke, though this pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, and there is a lack of clinically effective treatments for stroke-induced depression. The cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is a protein that regulates gene transcription and acts as a chief transcription factor in the regulation of genes that encode proteins, such as BDNF, that are involved in synaptic plasticity and memory [67]. Studies have found that Saikosaponin A can significantly improve the depression-like behavior of PSD model rats, inhibit the apoptosis of the hippocampal meridian, and increase the levels of phosphorylated CREB and BDNF in the hippocampus [68]. Neuronal cell death occurs extensively during development and pathology, where it is especially important because of the limited capacity of adult neurons to proliferate or be replaced [69]. There are at least three known types of neuronal death, namely apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis, and there is evidence that apoptosis is closely related to bipolar disorder (including depression) [70]. Inhibiting neuronal apoptosis can improve depression-like behavior [71, 72]. In LPS-induced depression in mice, Saikosaponin D can inhibit hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and inflammation through the lysophosphatidic acid 1/Ras homologous family member A (RhoA)/Rho protein kinase 2 pathway [73]. Rutin is a flavonoid, which is abundantly present in a variety of fruits and vegetables. It functions in cardiovascular protection and as an antiviral agent. In a recent study, rutin was shown to improve the CUMS-induced weight loss in mice and protect mouse hippocampal neurons [74]. Activation of tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) promotes neuronal survival, differentiation, and synapse formation [75].

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is the main regulator mediated by estrogen and plays an important role in preventing depression and cardiovascular diseases. It has been reported that knocking out ERα induces depression in mice and reduces hippocampal BDNF and the phosphorylation of its downstream targets TrkB, AKT, and extracellular regulatory protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Quercetin can reverse the above phenomenon, alleviate cell apoptosis, and reverse the depression-like symptoms induced by ERα knockout [76]. Similarly, quercetin can also exert an antidepressant effect by regulating the levels of BDNF in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as well as the levels of the related Copine 6 and the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 and TREM-2 [77]. Quercetin combined with exercise therapy can increase the expression of BDNF protein in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced depression model rats with colorectal cancer and can act on the TrKβ/β-chain protein axis to treat depression [78]. Liu et al. found that in the mouse depression model induced by CUMS, ferulic acid can significantly improve the behavioral performance in both the sucrose performance test and FST, upregulate BDNF and synapsin I levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and increase hippocampal PSD95 protein expression [79]. In a recent report, paeoniflorin can improve the depression-like behavior of PSD model mice and increase the expression of BDNF and phosphorylated CREB in the CA1 region of the hippocampus [80]. Zhong et al. found that paeoniflorin can protect nerves by upregulating the activity of the ERK-CREB signaling pathway and treat CUMS-induced depression-like behavior in rats [81]. The alteration of synaptic plasticity, and specifically hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), also plays a role in the onset of depression [82]. There is evidence that in CUMS-induced animal depression models, hippocampal LTP is impaired, and Liu et al. found that administration of paeoniflorin can alleviate LTP injury in the hippocampal CAI area and increase both the density of hippocampal dendritic spines and the expression levels of BDNF and PSD95 [83]. There are also reports that paeoniflorin can enhance the expression and gene transcription of BDNF, activate the expression of TrkB, and promote proliferation and differentiation into astrocytes and the neurogenesis of neural stem cells in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus [84] (Figure 4 and Table 4).

Figure 4.

Active compounds in Chaihu-Baishao promote hippocampal neurogenesis and regulate BDNF levels. BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; AKT: serine/threonine protein kinase; TrKB: tyrosine kinase B; CREB: cAMP response element-binding protein.

Table 4.

Active compounds in Bupleurum chinense DC-Paeonia lactiflora Pall herb pair promote hippocampal neurogenesis and regulate BDNF levels.

Compound	Model	Animal species	Dosage	Behaviour involved	Mechanism of action/ Main indicators	References
Saikosaponin A	MCAO+CUMS+isolation	Male SD rat	5 mg/kg	SPT, OFT, BWT, FST	Weight↑, hippocampus BDNF, P-CREB↑, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, hippocampus Bax, caspase-3↓,	[68]
Saikosaponin D	LPS	Male ICR mice	0.5, 1 mg/kg	TST, OFT	Proinflammatory cytokines↓, inhibiting the activity of LPA1/RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway, relieving apoptosis of hippocampal neurons	[73]
Rutin	CUMS	Adult Swiss albino mice	100 mg/kg	OFT, SPT, EPM, NOR, BWT	Relieving hippocampal damage in CA3 area	[74]
Quercetin	ERα receptor knockout	Female C57bl/6 and ERα-KO mice	100 mg/kg	OFT, TST, FST	Number of hippocampal neurons↑, relieve hippocampal cell apoptosis, Hippocampus BDNF,P-TrKB,P-AKT,P-ERK1/2↑	[76]
	DMH	Male Wistar rat	50 mg/kg	OFT, FST	Proinflammatory cytokines↓, BDNF↑, number of neurons↑, TrKB↑, β-catenin↑, incidence of rectal cancer↓,	[78]
Ferulic acid	CUMS	Male ICR mice	20, 40 mg/kg	SPT, FST	PFC and hippocampus BDNF, Synapsin I↑, hippocampus PSD95↑	[79]
Paeoniflorin	MCAO+CUMS	Male SD rat	5 mg/kg	BBT, SPT, OFT	Weight↑, hippocampus CA1 area BDNF, P-CREB↑	[80]
	CUMS	Male SD rat	30, 60 mg/kg	SPT, FST, LAT	Number of neurons in hippocampal CA3 area↑, upregulate the ERK-CREB signaling pathway	[81]
	CUMS	C57BL/6 Wild-type male mice	20 mg/kg	SPT, FST, TST	Relieve hippocampal CA1 LTP damage, hippocampus dendritic spine density, BDNF, PSD95↑	[82]
	CUMS	Male SD rats	60 mg/kg	SPT	Promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus dentate gyrus	[84]

Note: CUMS: chronic unpredictable mild stress; MCAO: middle cerebral artery occlusion; SPT: sucrose preference test; OFT: open field test; FST: forced swimming test; BWT: Beam walking test; BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CREB: cAMP response element-binding protein; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; LPA-1: specific cell surface G protein–coupled receptors; ROCK: Rho-kinase; NOR: Novel object recognition test; TST: tail suspension test; TrKB: tyrosine kinase B; AKT:serine/threonine protein kinase; ERK: extracellular regulatory protein kinase; ERα: Estrogen receptor alpha; DMH: 1,2-dimethylhydrazine; BBT: Beam balance test; LAT: Locomotor Activity Test; LTP: long-term potentiation.

3. Discussion

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder. Its symptoms and signs include lack of motivation, inability to feel happy, social withdrawal, cognitive difficulties, and changes in appetite. It belongs to the category of “mood disorder” in Chinese medicine [5]. In TCM theory, Chaihu can soothe the liver, and white peony root can restrain the qi. In the antidepressant Chinese medicine compounds, such as Xiaoyao Powder and Sini Powder, Chaihu and Baishao are often a “monarch and minister” collocation relationship [8]. In this review, we present the results of studies that have found that the active ingredients in Chaihu and Baishao that can function as an antidepressant through mechanisms that include reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress, neuronal protection, and the regulation of the HPA axis, neurotransmitters, and BDNF levels. However, the current research in these areas was only done at the cellular or animal level, and there have not been enough clinical trials to investigate whether they can effectively improve the symptoms of depressed patients. Furthermore, there are some active ingredients in Chaihu and Baishao, such as paeoniflorin, which are difficult to pass through the blood-brain barrier, thus limiting the efficacy. In recent years, the two-way signaling pathway between the brain and the gut microbiota has received much attention, and there is evidence that dysfunction of the gut-brain axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression [85]. However, there is still a lack of sufficient research to show that the Chaihu-Baishao herb pair can treat depression by regulating the brain-gut axis. At the same time, most of the current research is limited to a single target or single signaling pathway, and the interaction mechanism between the target and the pathway lacks in-depth exploration. Clinically, the current main treatment methods are mainly western medicine, but there are serious adverse reactions. TCM has significant advantages in treatment of depression, which is worthy of clinical investigation. However, the current syndrome differentiation and classification of depression is complex and changeable, the standards are not uniform, and a complete diagnosis and treatment and efficacy evaluation system has not been formed. There are few case analyses in clinical research, and the quality is different.

In future research, therefore, a large number of randomized double-blind controlled trials are expected to be carried out in accordance with the standardization of syndrome differentiation to investigate whether Chaihu-Baishao can effectively improve depression. In order to apparently promote the efficacy of TCM, it is meaningful to strengthen the research on the targeted delivery system, prolonging action time, and increase concentration in central nervous system. Meanwhile, multiomics technology is beneficial for exploring the connection between targets or signaling pathways and the overall drug intervention mechanism, which could enrich the mechanism of action of TCM, providing guidance for industrial transformation and clinical application.

Conflicts of Interest

All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.