Evaluation of Efficacy of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Evaluation of Efficacy of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: a Randomized,Placebo-controled Trial

Lycium barbarum, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is a commonly used herb in the traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia. Its main active ingredient, lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), is reported to have neuroprotective effects. Animal studies suggested that LBP has neuroprotective effect on optic ganglion cells. In animal models of depression, LBP can improve depressive symptom by improving synaptic plasticity. However, its clinical effect remains to be studied. We will conduct a 6-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-con-trolled trial in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the efficacy of LBP in patients with MDD.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age: 18-60 years old
2. Sex: both men and women
3. Compliance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder
4. Hamilton Depression Scale scored more than 18 points.
5. No contraindication of taking Lycium barbarum polysaccharide

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Comorbidity with other mental disorders
2. Severe somatic diseases
3. Current use of traditional Chinese medicine
4. Suicide concept, attempt, act and attempted suicide
5. Psychiatric symptoms
6. Taking hormones and endocrine drugs
7. Long-term use of wolfberry in recent three months