Chinese medicinal herbs in relieving perimenopausal depression: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of GengNianLe (GNL, also called perimenopausal depression relieving formula), a defined formula of Chinese medicinal herbs in relieving perimenopausal depression in Chinese women.


METHODS
Between September 2004 and April 2008, 47 Chinese women were randomized into a GNL group (n = 21) and a control group which received tibolone (n = 26) using a randomization chart. Depression was rated with the 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E(2)) were detected before and after the treatment.


RESULTS
After 12 weeks of treatment, HAMD scores in both groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The levels of FSH decreased significantly and the level of E(2) increased significantly in both groups, and they changed more in the control group. No side-effect of treatment was reported in either group during treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The Chinese medicinal formula GNL showed promise in relieving perimenopausal depression and merits further study.
Qu
Fan
F
Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
Cai
Xuefen
X
Gu
Yinger
Y
Zhou
Jue
J
Zhang
Runju
R
Burrows
Elizabeth
E
Huang
Hefeng
H
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009945:Organotherapy; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008517:Phytotherapy
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D009652:Norpregnenes; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C027385:tibolone