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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Psychiatry

Kamishoyosan reduces anxiety-like behavior by modulating GABAA receptor subunit expression in a premenstrual syndrome rat model

  • Shiori Harada-Nitta1
  • Keisuke Ogura1
  • Kunihiro Konno2
  • Miwa Nahata1
  • Naoki Fujitsuka1
  • Yohei Tokita3
  1. 1TSUMURA Kampo Research Laboratories, TSUMURA & CO.
  2. 2TSUMURA Advanced Technology Research Laboratories, TSUMURA & CO.
  3. 3Research and Development Division, TSUMURA & CO.
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Abstract

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) involve psychological symptoms that impact women’s quality of life. PMS pathogenesis is characterized by fluctuations in steroid hormones and γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) subunits. Kamishoyosan (KSS) is a Kampo medicine typically used to treat menstrual-related symptoms. This study aimed to elucidate the anxiolytic effect of KSS and its underlying mechanisms in a progesterone withdrawal (PWD)-induced PMS rat model.

Methods: KSS was administered via feed mixing, and elevated plus maze test and molecular biological analysis were conducted.

Results: PWD rats showed increased anxiety-like behavior and expression of GABAAR α4 and δ subunits mRNA in the hippocampal CA1 region, suggesting that decreased inhibitory GABA synaptic signaling contributes to anxiety-like behavior. KSS administration reduced anxiety-like behavior and the expression of GABAAR α4 and δ subunits, but no significant effect was observed on steroid hormone levels.

Discussion: These findings suggest that KSS exerts anxiolytic effects by reversing changes in α4 and δ subunit expression without affecting steroid hormone fluctuations. The different mechanism of action of KSS compared with GABAAR agonists may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for PMS.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{haradanitta2026kamishoyosan,
  title = {{Kamishoyosan reduces anxiety-like behavior by modulating GABAA receptor subunit expression in a premenstrual syndrome rat model}},
  author = {Shiori Harada-Nitta and Keisuke Ogura and Kunihiro Konno and Miwa Nahata and Naoki Fujitsuka and Yohei Tokita},
  journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1799904},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1799904/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Kamishoyosan reduces anxiety-like behavior by modulating GABAA receptor subunit expression in a premenstrual syndrome rat model
AU  - Shiori Harada-Nitta
AU  - Keisuke Ogura
AU  - Kunihiro Konno
AU  - Miwa Nahata
AU  - Naoki Fujitsuka
AU  - Yohei Tokita
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/16
JO  - Frontiers in Psychiatry
DO  - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1799904
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1799904/full
AB  - Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) involve psychological symptoms that impact women’s quality of life. PMS pathogenesis is characterized by fluctuations in steroid hormones and γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) subunits. Kamishoyosan (KSS) is a Kampo medicine typically used to treat menstrual-related symptoms. This study aimed to elucidate the anxiolytic effect of KSS and its underlying mechanisms in a progesterone withdrawal (PWD)-induced PMS rat model.  Methods: KSS was administered via feed mixing, and elevated plus maze test and molecular biological analysis were conducted.  Results: PWD rats showed increased anxiety-like behavior and expression of GABAAR α4 and δ subunits mRNA in the hippocampal CA1 region, suggesting that decreased inhibitory GABA synaptic signaling contributes to anxiety-like behavior. KSS administration reduced anxiety-like behavior and the expression of GABAAR α4 and δ subunits, but no significant effect was observed on steroid hormone levels.  Discussion: These findings suggest that KSS exerts anxiolytic effects by reversing changes in α4 and δ subunit expression without affecting steroid hormone fluctuations. The different mechanism of action of KSS compared with GABAAR agonists may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for PMS.
SN  - 1664-0640
ER  -