PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of Depression, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is comprised of the following herbs in weight parts: 2-10 parts Ramulus Cinnamomi, 2-10 parts Rhizoma Zingiberis, 2-10 parts Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 2-8 parts Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 2-8 parts Radix Codonopsis, 1-3 parts Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 0.5-2.5 parts Flos Inulae, 1-3 parts Caulis Bambusae in Taenia, 1-3 parts Fructus Trichosanthis, 1.5-4 parts Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, 1.5-4 parts Radix Ophiopogonis, 2-8 parts Radix Rehmanniae, 1.5-4 parts Cortex Moutan Radicis, 0.5-2.5 parts Fructus Gardeniae, 0.5-2.5 parts Herba Lophatheri, and 0.2-1.5 parts Folium Sennae. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition as described above for treatment of depression.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of Depression, wherein the pharmaceutical composition consists of the following herbs in weight parts: TABLE-US-00004 Ramulus Cinnamomi 2-10 parts, Rhizoma Zingiberis 2-10 parts, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis 2-10 parts, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae 2-8 parts, Radix Codonopsis 2-8 parts, Rhizoma Dioscoreae 1-3 parts, Flos Inulae, 0.5-2.5 parts, Caulis Bambusae in Taenia 1-3 parts, Fructus Trichosanthis 1-3 parts, Caulis Polygoni Multiflori 1.5-4 parts, Radix Ophiopogonis 1.5-4 parts, Radix Rehmanniae 2-8 parts, Cortex Moutan Radicis 1.5-4 parts, Fructus Gardeniae 0.5-2.5 parts, Herba Lophatheri 0.5-2.5 parts, and Folium Sennae 0.2-1.5 parts.

2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the Semen Ziziphi Spinosae is stir-fried.

3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical composition consists of the following herbs in weight parts: TABLE-US-00005 Ramulus Cinnamomi 2-8 parts, Rhizoma Zingiberis 2-8 parts, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis 2-8 parts, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae 2-6 parts, Radix Codonopsis 2-6 parts, Rhizoma Dioscoreae 1-2 parts, Flos Inulae 0.5-1.5 parts, Caulis Bambusae in Taenia 1-2 parts, Fructus Trichosanthis 1-2 parts, Caulis Polygoni Multiflori 1.5-3 parts, Radix Ophiopogonis 1.5-3 parts, Radix Rehmanniae 2-6 parts, Cortex Moutan Radicis 1.5-3 parts, Fructus Gardeniae 0.5-2 parts, Herba Lophatheri 0.5-2 parts, and Folium Sennae 0.2-1 parts.

4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical composition consists of the following herbs in weight parts: TABLE-US-00006 Ramulus Cinnamomi 4 parts, Rhizoma Zingiberis 4 parts, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis 4 parts, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae 3 parts, Radix Codonopsis 3 parts, Rhizoma Dioscoreae 1.5 parts, Flos Inulae 1 part, Caulis Bambusae in Taenia 1.5 parts, Fructus Trichosanthis 1.5 parts, Caulis Polygoni Multiflori 2 parts, Radix Ophiopogonis 2 parts, Radix Rehmanniae 3 parts, Cortex Moutan Radicis 2 parts, Fructus Gardeniae 1 part, Herba Lophatheri 1 part, and Folium Sennae 0.5 parts.

5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical composition per 35 g consists of the following herbs in weights: TABLE-US-00007 Ramulus Cinnamomi 4 g, Rhizoma Zingiberis 4 g, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis 4 g, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae 3 g, Radix Codonopsis 3 g, Rhizoma Dioscoreae 1.5 g, Flos Inulae 1 g, Caulis Bambusae in Taenia 1.5 g, Fructus Trichosanthis 1.5 g, Caulis Polygoni Multiflori 2 g, Radix Ophiopogonis 2 g, Radix Rehmanniae 3 g, Cortex Moutan Radicis 2 g, Fructus Gardeniae 1 g, Herba Lophatheri 1 g, and Folium Sennae 0.5 g.

6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in the form of an oral liquid, tablets, capsules, granules, pills, or dripping pills.

7. A method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, comprising the steps that: A. blending all the 16 herbs and boiling decocted by three times and the amount of water added in the decoction process is 7-10 times the total weight of the herbs, wherein the first decoction for 1.5-3 h, the second decoction for 1-2 h and the third decoction for 0.5-1.5 h; B. combining the filtrates from the three decoctions and concentrating into an extracting solution with relative density of 1.20-1.25; and C. adding ethanol to the extracting solution to a concentration of 50-80%, standing for 24 h, removing the supernatant and concentrating into an alcohol extract with relative density of 1.12-1.20, and then drying to obtain the pharmaceutical composition.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising step D of adding starch to the pharmaceutical composition, and homogenizing the mixture and filling into capsules.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein in step B the combined filtrates are at 60 C. and are concentrated to an extract of relative density of 1.20-1.25.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step C further comprises concentrating the supernatant at 60 C. to an extract of relative density of 1.12-1.20 and then spray drying to obtain the pharmaceutical composition.

11. A method of treating Depression in a subject, the method comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Example 1

[0021] A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression is manufactured in form of oral liquid, in which the pharmaceutical composition is consisted of the following herbs in weight parts: 2 parts Ramulus Cinnamomi, 2 parts Rhizoma Zingiberis, 2 parts Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 2 parts Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 2 parts Radix Codonopsis, 1 part Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 0.5 parts Flos Inulae, 1 part Caulis Bambusae in Taenia, 1 part Fructus Trichosanthis, 1.5 parts Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, 1.5 parts Radix Ophiopogonis, 2 parts Radix Rehmanniae, 1.5 parts Cortex Moutan Radicis, 0.5 part Fructus Gardeniae, 0.5 part Herba Lophatheri, and 0.2 parts Folium Sennae.

[0022] The method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression comprises the following steps that:

A. All the 16 herbs are blended and boiling decocted by three times and the amount of water added in the decoction process is 7 times of the total weight of the herbs, wherein the first decoction for 1.5 h, the second decoction for 1 h and the third decoction for 0.5 h;
B. The filtrates from the three decoctions are combined and concentrated into an extracting solution with relative density of 1.20; and
C. The extracting solution is added with ethanol to a concentration of 50%, standing for 24 h, and the supernatant is removed and concentrated into an alcohol extract with relative density of 1.12, and then blended and pelletized to obtain the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression.

Example 2

[0023] A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression is manufactured in form of capsules, in which the pharmaceutical composition is consisted of the following herbs in weight parts: 10 parts Ramulus Cinnamomi, 10 parts Rhizoma Zingiberis, 10 parts Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 8 parts Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 8 parts Radix Codonopsis, 3 parts Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 2.5 parts Flos Inulae, 3 parts Caulis Bambusae in Taenia, 3 parts Fructus Trichosanthis, 4 parts Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, 4 parts Radix Ophiopogonis, 8 parts Radix Rehmanniae, 4 parts Cortex Moutan Radicis, 2.5 parts Fructus Gardeniae, 2.5 parts Herba Lophatheri, and 1.5 parts Folium Sennae.

[0024] The method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression comprises the following steps that:

A. All the 16 herbs are blended and boiling decocted by three times and the amount of water added in the decoction process is 10 times of the total weight of the herbs, wherein the first decoction for 3 h, the second decoction for 2 h and the third decoction for 1.5 h;
B. The filtrates from the three decoctions are combined and concentrated into an extracting solution with relative density of 1.20-1.25 at 60 C.;
C. The extracting solution is added with ethanol to a concentration of 80%, standing for 24 h, and the supernatant is removed and concentrated into an alcohol extract with relative density of 1.20 at 60 C., and then spray dried; and
D. Adding starch, blending and encapsulating to obtain the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression.

[0025] The resulting capsule is a hard capsule and each capsule has 0.5 g in weight. The content of the capsule is a brown powder with fragrant, sweet, and bitter. Four capsules are taken once, three times per day.

Example 3

[0026] A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression is manufactured in form of tablets, in which the pharmaceutical composition is consisted of the following herbs in weight parts: 8 parts Ramulus Cinnamomi, 8 parts Rhizoma Zingiberis, 8 parts Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 6 parts Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 6 parts Radix Codonopsis, 2 parts Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 1.5 parts Flos Inulae, 2 parts Caulis Bambusae in Taenia, 2 parts Fructus Trichosanthis, 3 parts Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, 3 parts Radix Ophiopogonis, 6 parts Radix Rehmanniae, 3 parts Cortex Moutan Radicis, 2 parts Fructus Gardeniae, 2 parts Herba Lophatheri, and 1 part Folium Sennae.

[0027] The method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression comprises the following steps that:

A. All the 16 herbs are blended and boiling decocted by three times and the amount of water added in the decoction process is 8 times of the total weight of the herbs, wherein the first decoction for 2 h, the second decoction for 1.5 h and the third decoction for 1 h;
B. The filtrates from the three decoctions are combined and concentrated into an extracting solution with relative density of 1.23 at 60 C.; and
C. The extracting solution is added with ethanol to a concentration of 60%, standing for 24 h, and the supernatant is removed and concentrated into an alcohol extract with relative density of 1.15 at 60 C., and then spray dried, granulated and compressed to obtain the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression.

Example 4

[0028] A pharmaceutical composition for treatment of menopausal syndrome is manufactured in form of pills, in which the pharmaceutical composition is consisted of the following herbs in weight parts: 4 parts Ramulus Cinnamomi, 4 parts Rhizoma Zingiberis, 4 parts Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 3 parts Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 3 parts Radix Codonopsis, 1.5 parts Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 1 part Flos Inulae, 1.5 parts Caulis Bambusae in Taenia, 1.5 parts Fructus Trichosanthis, 2 parts Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, 2 parts Radix Ophiopogonis, 3 parts Radix Rehmanniae, 2 parts Cortex Moutan Radicis, 1 part Fructus Gardeniae, 1 part Herba Lophatheri, and 0.5 parts Folium Sennae.

[0029] The method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression comprises the following steps that:

A. All the 16 herbs are blended and boiling decocted by three times and the amount of water added in the decoction process is 8 times of the total weight of the herbs, wherein the first decoction for 2 h, the second decoction for 1.5 h and the third decoction for 1 h;
B. The filtrates from the three decoctions are combined and concentrated into an extracting solution with relative density of 1.23 at 60 C.;
C. The extracting solution is added with ethanol to a concentration of 60%, standing for 24 h, and the supernatant is removed and concentrated into an alcohol extract with relative density of 1.15 at 60 C., and then blended and granulated to obtain the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression.

Example 5

[0030] A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression is manufactured in form of granules, in which the pharmaceutical composition per 35 g is consisted of the following herbs in weights: 4 g Ramulus Cinnamomi, 4 g Rhizoma Zingiberis, 4 g Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 3 g Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 3 g Radix Codonopsis, 1.5 g Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 1 g Flos Inulae, 1.5 g Caulis Bambusae in Taenia, 1.5 g Fructus Trichosanthis, 2 g Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, 2 g Radix Ophiopogonis, 3 g Radix Rehmanniae, 2 g Cortex Moutan Radicis, 1 g Fructus Gardeniae, 1 g Herba Lophatheri, and 0.5 g Folium Sennae.

[0031] The method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression comprises the following steps that:

A. All the 16 herbs are blended and boiling decocted by three times and the amount of water added in the decoction process is 8 times of the total weight of the herbs, wherein the first decoction for 2 h, the second decoction for 1.5 h and the third decoction for 1 h;
B. The filtrates from the three decoctions are combined and concentrated into an extracting solution with relative density of 1.23 at 60 C.; and
C. The extracting solution is added with ethanol to a concentration of 60%, standing for 24 h, and the supernatant is removed and concentrated into an alcohol extract with relative density of 1.15 at 60 C., and then dried and pelletized to obtain the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression.

Example 6

[0032] A pharmaceutical composition for treatment of depression is manufactured in form of dripping pills, in which the pharmaceutical composition is consisted of the following herbs in weight parts: 4 g Ramulus Cinnamomi, 4 g Rhizoma Zingiberis, 4 g Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 3 g Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, 3 g Radix Codonopsis, 1.5 g Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 1 g Flos Inulae, 1.5 g Caulis Bambusae in Taenia, 1.5 g Fructus Trichosanthis, 2 g Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, 2 g Radix Ophiopogonis, 3 g Radix Rehmanniae, 2 g Cortex Moutan Radicis, 1 g Fructus Gardeniae, 1 g Herba Lophatheri, and 0.5 g Folium Sennae.

[0033] The method for preparing the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of depression comprises the following steps that:

A. All the 16 herbs are blended and boiling decocted by three times and the amount of water added in the decoction process is 8 times of the total weight of the herbs, wherein the first decoction for 2 h, the second decoction for 1.5 h and the third decoction for 1 h;
B. The filtrates from the three decoctions are combined and concentrated into an extracting solution with relative density of 1.23 at 60 C.; and
C. The extracting solution is added with ethanol to a concentration of 60%, standing for 24 h, and the supernatant is removed and concentrated into an alcohol extract with relative density of 1.15 at 60 C., and then batched and made into dripping pills to obtain the pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of menopausal syndrome.

Example 7

[0034] The following conclusions are the results of an experimental study on anti-depression effect by using capsules manufactured from the above pharmaceutical compositions.

1 Drugs and Materials

[0035] 1.1 Drug testing and reagents: The capsules pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of depression in form of obtained in Example 2 compared with fluoxetine hydrochloride.
1.2 Animals: 20 male and 20 female mice provided by the Experimental Animal Center; average body mass of 18-22 g.
1.3 Instruments: Mouse-tail suspension device (a wooden board of about 1 meter in length, fixed onto a desktop with a horizontal distance of about 15 cm), swimming model device (a glass tank with a height of 30 cm, a diameter of 14 cm, a water depth of 10 cm, and temperature of 25 C.), and homemade open box.
1.4 Grouping: The mice were fed for one week, during which time the mice feed and drink freely. The mice were randomly divided into four groups of control group, depression capsule low-dose group (hereinafter referred to as the low-dose group), depression capsule high-dose group (hereinafter referred to as the high-dose group), the positive groups, 10 mice per group.
1.5 Drug administration: The control group was given saline daily at 0.2 ml/10 g; the positive control group was given fluoxetine hydrochloride 2.4 mg/kg; the low-dose group was given depression capsules 1.05 g/kg; and the high-dose group was given depression capsules 4.20 g/kg. The route of administration was directly into the stomach.

1.6 Methods

[0036] 1.6.1 The mouse-tail suspension test: Refer to the method by Stern et al.

[0037] The mouse was suspended by its tail so that the tail was adhered (1 cm from the tail end of the mouse) to the horizontal plank of wooden board by tape with its head about 5 cm above the desktop. A cardboard was set on each side of the horizontal plank to block out the sight of the mouse. The mouse struggled to overcome the abnormal postural, but it ceased to move intermittently after a while, which shows a state of disappointment. The test was performed in 1 h after last drug administration and the time of the mouse being immobile within last 4 min for 6 min period was recorded.

1.6.2 Mouse forced swimming test: Refer to method by Prosolt et al.

[0038] A tank is provided with 30 cm height, 14 cm diameter, water depth 10 cm, and water temperature 25 C. The test was performed in 1 h after last drug administration. The mouse was placed in water for 6 min and the accumulated time of the mouse being immobile within last 4 min. The immobility is defined as the mouse does not move or struggle in the water or be floating state on water while only small limb movements occur in order to keep the head surfaced.

1.6.3 Opening test: Refer to method by Elliott et al.

[0039] A wooden box was provided with 36 cm36 cm27 cm, the bottom of which is divided into 25 squares. The test was performed in 1 h after last drug administration, and the number of the mouse crossing the grids and vertical climbing within last 3 min for 5 min period was recorded.

2 Results

[0040] 2.1 Comparing the effects of the depression capsule on the immobile time in mouse-tail suspension test with the control group, the low-dose group has a significant difference (P<0.05), the high-dose group has very significant difference (P<0.01), and the positive group has highly significant difference (P<0.01). The results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 2 Effects of the capsule on the mouse immobile time in the mouse-tail suspension test (x s, n = 10) Immobile time in the mouse-tail suspension Group Dose (g/kg) test (s) Control group 115.5 30.7 Low-dose group 1.05 88.6 23.8 * High dose group 4.20 74.2 27.6 ** Positive control group 0.0024 73 29.4 ** Note: Compared with the control group, ** P < 0.01, * P < 0.05.
2.2 Comparing the effects of the capsule on the immobile time in the mouse forced swimming test with the control group, the low-dose group has a significant difference (P<0.05), the high-dose group has very significant difference (P<0.01), and the positive group has highly significant difference (P<0.01). The results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Effects of the capsules on the mouse immobile time in the mouse forced swimming test (x s, n = 10) Immobile time in mouse Group Dose (g/kg) forced swimming test (s) Control group 130.8 22.6 Low-dose group 1.05 99.5 37.1 * High dose group 4.20 71.2 26.5 ** Positive control group 0.0024 83.5 41.6 ** Note: Compared with the control group, ** P < 0.01, * P < 0.05.
2.3 Comparing the effects of the depression capsule on the independent activity in the opening test with the control group, the low-dose group, high-dose group and positive group have no significant difference (P>0.05). The results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Effects of the capsule on the mouse independent activity in the opening test (s, n = 10) the number of squares Group Dose (g/kg) crossed by mouse Control group 41.5 19.4 Low-dose group 1.05 42.1 15.7 High dose group 4.20 47.2 15.3 Positive control group 0.0024 43.9 13.3 Note: Compared with the control group, P > 0.05.

[0041] In summary, the above descriptions are only examples of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications to the invention within the scope of the present disclosure are also fallen into the scope of the present invention.

[0042] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0043] It will be understood that the term comprise and any of its derivatives (eg comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.