Efficacy of the herbal medicine Unkei-to as an adjunctive treatment to hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women with depressive symptoms

Koji Koike, Satoshi Ohno, Noriko Takahashi, Nobutaka Suzuki, Noriko Nozaki, Kouichi Murakami, Kouichi Sugiura, Kiyofumi Yamada, Masaki Inoue

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) improves menopausal depressive symptoms, women unresponsive to HRT need an antidepressant drug as an effective adjunctive therapy. The aim of this study was to assess whether the herbal medicine Unkei-to has an impact on HRT-resistant menopausal depressive symptoms as an effective adjunctive therapy combined with HRT. Methods: Twenty-four HRT-resistant menopausal depressive women were randomly assigned to group 1 (n = 12) or group 2 (n = 12). Subjects in group 1 were accessioned into 6 months of open treatment with Unkei-to as an adjunctive therapy and changed to Toki-shakuyaku-san for 6 months following a 1-month washout period. Group 2 started with Toki-shakuyaku-san for 6 months and then changed to Unkei-to for 6 months following a 1-month washout period. Results: Three months' treatment with Unkei-to as an adjunctive therapy significantly improved Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) scores, State-Anxiety (STAI-1) scores, and Trait-Anxiety (STAI-2) scores noted before treatment, and this effect continued at 6 months. Treatment with Unkei-to was also significantly effective in reduction of ZSDS scores, STAI-1 scores, and STAI-2 scores at 3 months compared with Toki-shakuyaku-san treatment, and this effect continued at 6 months. Conclusions: Unkei-to is another option as an adjunctive herbal therapy in HRT-resistant menopausal depressive women.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-162
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Neuropharmacology
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 07-2004
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Efficacy of the herbal medicine Unkei-to as an adjunctive treatment to hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women with depressive symptoms'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this