Antidepressant effects of Banxia Houpu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal empirical formula

Banxia Houpu Decoction, having been used for the treatment of depression-re lated diseases since ancient times, is a traditional Chinese medicinal empi rical formula consisting of Pinellia ternata, Poria cocos, Magnolia officin alis, Perilla frutescens and Zingiber officinale. The effects of the total decoction extract and five fractions therefrom. were evaluated in mice by t ail suspension and forced swimming tests. The total 90% ethanol extract of the decoction was shown to possess an antidepressant activity that was clos e to that of Prozac, an antidepressant agent being applied clinically. Furt hermore, the active principles were demonstrated to be mainly in the aqueou s (Bx4) and lipophic (Bx5) parts of the decoction extract while the polyphe nol fraction (Bx2) exhibited a moderate action. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd. All rights reserved.