Progress of Kai-Xin-San in treating AD and depression: The possibility of "Homotherapy for Heteropathy"

Abstract

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and depression are two important neurological disorders with their own causes and pathogenesis. Modern research shows that AD and depression also have a series of common pathologies. Moreover, AD and depression often occur simultaneously, and depression appears in the early stages of AD and can accelerate its progression. Therefore, the common mechanism between AD and depression deserves attention. The classic famous prescription, Kai-Xin-San (KXS) could treat both of AD and depression clinically. In this study, we reviewed the efficacy of KXS against AD and depression, and proposed "Homotherapy for Heteropathy" in treating AD and depression based on the analysis of the mechanisms.

Methods

CNKI database, Web of science database and PubMed database were used to explore the therapeutic effects of KXS on AD and depression with keywords such as “Alzheimer's disease”, “AD”, “depression” and “Kai-Xin-San”, etc.

Results

This review suggests that KXS has exact effects on AD and depression and the mechanisms involve modulations of synaptic function, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, gut microbiota and hippocampal neurogenesis. According to the common mechanisms of AD and depression, and the potential treatment of KXS, we propose the "Homotherapy for Heteropathy" efficacy of KXS in treating AD and depression.

Conclusions

This review summarizes the common mechanisms between AD and depression, providing important insights for the use of KXS in treating neurological diseases.