Department of First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Feb 2;103(5):e36266. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036266.
Numerous studies have demonstrated an intimate relationship between circadian rhythm disorders and the development and prevention of depression. The biological clock genes, which constitute the molecular basis of endogenous circadian rhythms, hold promising prospects for depression treatment. Based on an extensive review of recent domestic and international research, this article presents a comprehensive analysis of how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervenes in depression by regulating circadian rhythms. The findings indicate that TCM exerts its antidepressant effects by targeting specific biological clock genes such as Bmal1, clock, Arntl, Per1, Per2, Per3, Nr1d1, Cry2, and Dbp, as well as regulating circadian rhythms of hormone secretion. However, most current research is still confined to basic experimental studies, lacking clinical double-blind control trials to further validate these viewpoints. Furthermore, there is insufficient research on the signal transduction pathway between biological clock genes and pathological changes in depression. Additionally, further clarification is needed regarding the specific targets of TCM on the biological clock genes.
大量研究表明，昼夜节律紊乱与抑郁症的发生和预防密切相关。构成内源性昼夜节律分子基础的生物钟基因，为抑郁症的治疗提供了广阔的前景。本文在广泛查阅国内外研究的基础上，综合分析了中医药通过调节昼夜节律干预抑郁症的作用机制。结果表明，中医药通过作用于 Bmal1、clock、Arntl、Per1、Per2、Per3、Nr1d1、Cry2、Dbp 等特定生物钟基因，调节激素分泌的昼夜节律，发挥抗抑郁作用。但目前的研究多局限于基础实验研究，缺乏临床双盲对照试验进一步验证这些观点，而且生物钟基因与抑郁症病理变化的信号转导通路研究不足，中医药对生物钟基因的具体作用靶点也需要进一步阐明。
