Research Progress on the Application and Mechanisms of Baihe Dihuang Decoction in Major Depressive Disorder

作者：Longlong Yang, Yilong wang, Hejia Wan, Hao Feng, Yi Tian Liu, Guimin Xue, Yanle Zhi, Fengjiao Zhang, Y. Liu, Zhiqiang Zhang · 发表于：Drug Design Development and Therapy · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.2147/dddt.s579207 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Tryptophan and brain disorders、Treatment of Major Depression、Stress Responses and Cortisol

Objective: The treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) is often plagued by inadequate therapeutic efficacy, high relapse rates, and adverse drug effects. Baihe Dihuang Decoction (BHDH, Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction), a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula, shows promise for depression, but a comprehensive synthesis of modern evidence is warranted. This study aimed to review the clinical efficacy, pharmacological mechanisms, and safety profile of BDD for MDD to inform its clinical application and guide future research. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in both English (PubMed, Web of Science) and Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang) databases from inception to June 2025. For clinical evidence, the search focused on "Baihe Dihuang Decoction", "major depressive disorder/depression", and "randomized controlled trial". Supplementary searches using terms like "chemical constituents" and "pharmacological action" were performed for mechanistic studies. Relevant literature was subsequently summarized and analyzed. Results: Current evidence suggests that BHDH, as an adjunct to conventional antidepressants, can improve the overall clinical response rate, reduce Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores, and potentially alleviate adverse reactions. Its active constituents may exert antidepressant effects via multiple pathways, including monoaminergic neurotransmission modulation, neuroinflammation inhibition, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation, hip...