Efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in animal models of depressive-like behaviors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yingjie Huang; Weiping Chen; Xingfu Li; Tian Tan; Tunyi Wang; Shishi Qiu; Guangyao Li; Cong Yang; Min Li; Lining Duan

doi:10.3389/fnins.2024.1330594

Efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in animal models of depressive-like behaviors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Front Neurosci. 2024 Feb 15:18:1330594. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1330594. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Yingjie Huang^{1

2}, Weiping Chen^{1

2}, Xingfu Li³, Tian Tan², Tunyi Wang², Shishi Qiu², Guangyao Li², Cong Yang⁴, Min Li², Lining Duan¹

Affiliations

¹ The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
² Clinical Medical of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
³ The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Background: Many studies have investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in treating depression, but the mechanism of acupuncture for depression is still controversial and there is a lack of meta-analysis of mechanisms. Consequently, we investigated acupuncture's efficacy and mechanism of depression.

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science. The SYRCLE Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess bias risk. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 for indicators of depression mechanisms, body weight and behavioral tests.

Results: A total of 22 studies with 497 animals with depressive-like behaviors were included. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture significantly increased BDNF [SMD = 2.40, 95% CI (1.33, 3.46); I² = 86.6%], 5-HT [SMD = 2.28, 95% CI (1.08, 3.47); I² = 87.7%] compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and significantly reduced IL-1β [SMD = -2.33, 95% CI (-3.43, -1.23); I2 = 69.6%], CORT [SMD = -2.81, 95% CI (-4.74, -0.87); I² = 86.8%] (p < 0.05). Acupuncture improved body weight [SMD = 1.35, 95% CI (0.58, 2.11); I² = 84.5%], forced swimming test [SMD = -1.89, 95% CI (-2.55, -1.24); I² = 76.3%], open field test (crossing number [SMD = 3.08, 95% CI (1.98, 4.17); I² = 86.7%], rearing number [SMD = 2.53, 95% CI (1.49, 3.57); I² = 87.0%]) (p < 0.05) compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Acupuncture may treat animals of depressive-like behaviors by regulating neurotrophic factors, neurotransmitters, inflammatory cytokines, neuroendocrine system.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023403318, identifier (CRD42023403318).

Keywords: acupuncture; animal models; depression; depressive-like behaviors; meta-analysis; systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was funded by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (NO.82305383), Guangdong Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NO.20241088), National TCM Inheritance and Innovation Center Scientific Research Special Youth Project (NO.2022QN06). The Ordinary University Innovation Young Talent Project of Guangdong Province (2023KQNCX017). Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Youth Innovation New Top Talents Team Cultivation Unveiling Leading Project (A1-2601-23-414-453Z74). Youth Innovative Talents Project of Department of Education of Guangdong Province (2021KQNCX015). Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou (202201011327). The funding source had no role in the design, execution, analysis, data interpretation, or decision to present the results of this study.