The difference between blood-associated and water-associated herbs of Danggui-Shaoyao San in theory of TCM, based on serum pharmacochemistry.

Danggui-Shaoyao San (DSS) is a famous Chinese formula for activating blood circulation and promoting urination. This study was to investigate the difference of material basis between a blood-associated herbs group and a water-associated herbs group. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the formula can be divided into a blood-associated herbs group (Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora and Ligusticum chuanxiong) and a water-associated herbs group (Atractylodes macrocephala, Alisma orientale and Poria cocos). The HPLC fingerprint of the formula was established for quality control. Serum samples from rats, orally administrated DSS, and the decomposed recipes of DSS, were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and the transitional blood components of DSS were identified. Twenty-one common peaks were identified in the fingerprint of DSS. Contents of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, ferulic acid and alisol B 23-acetate in co-decoction were significantly higher than those in individual decoction. Eleven peaks belonged to the blood-associated herbs group (four metabolites and seven prototype components; paeoniflorin and ferulic acid appeared in prototype components), whereas six peaks belonged to the water-associated herbs group (three metabolites and three prototype components). It was concluded that the serum pharmacochemistry is a meaningful approach for clarifying the difference between blood-associated and water-associated herbs in chemical composition.

Anti-depression effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San, a fixed combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine, on depression model in mice and rats.

Anti-depression effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS, 1.8-7.2g/kg, orally), a famous Chinese compound prescription with a fixed combination, on forced swimming test (FST) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model were investigated. DSS (7.2g/kg, orally, 7 days) shortened immobility time in FST model and DSS (3.6 or 7.2g/kg, orally, 21 days) increased the open-field activities and the percentage of sugar preference in CUMS model. DSS (7.2g/kg, orally, 21 days) also decreased the content of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the pituitary and the expression of AVP mRNA in hypothalamus compared with the stress control group. These results demonstrated for the first time DSS has anti-depression effect and it may be influencing the central AVP system.