Research on Depression Treated with the Combination of Electro-acupuncture and Shu Xue Ning (Ginkgo Biloba) and Laboratory Test of the Changes of Immune Level of Cells

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of depression treated with the combination of electro-acupuncture with Chinese medicine Shu Xue Ning (extract of Ginkgo leaf), and the changes of cellular immune level.

Methods: Divide the selected patients randomly into two groups. One group receives treatment of electro-acupuncture and Shu Xue Ning: other group receives treatment of electro-acupuncture and placebo. Then evaluate the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), depression self-rating scale (SDS), and anxiety self-rating scale (SAS). At the same time, take blood sample to assay peripheral blood T lymphocyte subgroup and compare them with the conditions of the 10 healthy people.

Results: All 21 patients in the two groups responded to the treatment very effectively. To compare the two groups, we found that all three rating scales reached significant difference (P<0.05) except that SAS had its T value close to significant difference. SI value of T lymphocyte reproduction reaction of the patients in both groups was lower than that of the healthy people (P<0.01). After receiving electro-acupuncture, SI value of the patients in both groups increased obviously now than before (P<0.01). To compare that with SI value of the healthy people, there was no significant difference.

Conclusion: The combination of electro-acupuncture with Shu Xue Ning (Ginkgo biloba) is more effective than simple electro-acupuncture in the treatment of depression. SI value of T lymphocyte reproduction reaction of patients with depression is low. However, after receiving the combined therapy of electro-acupuncture and Chinese medicine, Shu Xue Ning (Ginkgo Biloba), the immune level could be increased to a normal condition.

(By Liu Hechun, Zhao Xueying, Hu Qingju, Xu Daoxiong etc. from Institute of Mental Health, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100083, China.)