Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules in the treatment of female depression

Dai Bao'an; Yang Lixuan; Ao Yutian; Dong Kaiqiang; Guo Rongjuan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1671-6450.2025.01.018

Abstract：Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules in the treat-ment of female depression.Methods In PubMed,Cochrane Library,EMBASE,APA Psyclnfo,China Biomedical Literature Service System,China Knowledge Network,Wipro and Wanfang databases,randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the treatment of female depression published by March 31,2024 were searched,and RevMan 5.4 software was used for the included Meta-analysis of the studies was performed.Results 21 clinical studies and a total volume of 1783 patients were ultimately included in this study.Analysis results showed that,in terms of reducing HAMD scores on female depression,the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules in combination with antidepressant chemical was superior to the administration of antidepressant chemical alone(SMD=-0.87,95％CI[-1.17,-0.57],P＜0.01),the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules alone was superior to the administration of antidepressant chemical alone for female depression(SMD=-0.44,95％CI[-0.84,-0.04],P=0.03).For postpartum depression(PPD)and perimenopausal depression(PMD)patients,Shugan Jieyu capsule combined with antidepressants was superior to antidepressants alone in reducing HAMD scores(SMD=-0.86,95％CI[-1.49,-022],P=0.008;SMD=-1.02,95％CI[-1.57,-0.47],P=0.000 3).In terms of reduc-ing HAMA scores,the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules in combination with antidepressant chemical was superior to the administration of antidepressant chemical alone(MD=-1.19,95％CI[-222,-0.16],P=0.02),the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules alone was superior to the administration of Sertraline Hydrochloride alone,but comparable to that of Paroxetine.For patients with Postpartum Depression(PPD)or Perimenopausal Depression(PMD),in terms of reducing HAMD scores,the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules in combination with antidepressant chemical was superior to the administration of antidepressant chemical alone(P＜0.01).There was no statistical significance in the difference of effica-cy between the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules alone and the administration of antidepressant chemical(P＞0.05).In terms of Adverse Events(AEs),the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules in combination with antidepressant chemical would not increase the incidence of AEs.The incidence of AEs with the administration of Shugan Jieyu Capsules was lower than that with the administration of antidepressant chemical alone.Conclusion The studies demonstrate that Shugan Jieyu Capsules is effective and safe for treating female depression,and can be used in special periods of female depression,such as postpartum and perimenopausal period.The combination of Shugan Jieyu Capsules and antidepressants is superior to antidepressants alone.