A Literature-Based Analysis of the Therapeutic Patterns of Classical Prescriptions in the Pattern Differentiation Treatment of Depression
ZHOU Xinyue
JIANG Ke
DONG Mengting
SHENG Jiayu
Abstract：Depression,being one of the most common mental disorders,is a serious threat to human health due to its high incidence,recurrence rate,and disability rate.Compared with traditional Western medications,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)possesses numerous prominent advantages in treating depression,such as multi-target effects,stable efficacy,and limited adverse reactions.By virtue of refined herbal medicines and strict compatibility,classic prescriptions exhibit unique effectiveness in treating mental diseases.Especially,the prescriptions,represented by Gan Mai Da Zao Tang and Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang,have been utilized to treat mental and emotional diseases since ancient times.Through searching related literature concerning the treatment of depression by classical prescriptions in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)Database in recent 30 years,a total of 515 pieces of clinical research literature and 169 cases,this paper selects 11 prescriptions with a larger number of literature and greater relevance for statistical analysis.In this regard,based on the TCM's pattern differentiation characterized by"herbs,prescriptions,and syndrome",this research investigates the law of medication patterns as well as primary therapeutic effects of various prescriptions from a perspective of associated prescriptions.Specifically,in terms of cases with depression characterized by symptoms of sadness and apathy,typically categorized as heart-lung yin deficiency,associated prescriptions based on Baihe class formulas can be employed to nourish yin while calming their spirit.Regarding cases where depression is accompanied by chest discomfort or gastrointestinal symptoms with liver qi stagnation,Chahu class formulas can be leveraged to promote yang,dissipate depression,harmonize the liver,and regulate qi.Additionally,Zhizi class formulas can be utilized to clear away heat and alleviate annoyance for patients with primary symptoms such as restlessness and agitation due to heat stagnation in the chest.Moreover,Ganmai Dazan Decotion is generally used for women with visceral agitation,while Suanzao Ren Decotion is primarily employed to treat depression complicated with insomnia,with Banxia Houpo Decotion being effective for treating globus hysteriocus.Simply put,this research aims to inherit and carry forward classic prescriptions more effectively by digging their advantages in the treatment of depression,thereby furnishing valuable insights for clinical practice and further academic research.
Keywords：depressionclassical formulasBaihe class formulasChaihu class formulasZhizi class formulas
Publication Date：2025-08-20
Online Publishing Date：2026-07-17(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 39-45 )