{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T00:30:09Z","timestamp":1787790609592,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,5]],"date-time":"2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1754352000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychiatry"],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>Chronic Prostatitis (CP) is often accompanied by urinary symptoms such as dysuria and frequency, as well as sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. Men with CP are at a significantly greater risk of developing anxiety and depression compared to healthy controls. Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) provides a holistic approach by simultaneously targeting inflammation, pelvic microcirculation, and neuropsychiatric pathways, which aligns with the multifactorial nature of CP. Therefore, this study will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate and summarize the efficacy of CHM for managing anxiety and depression in patients with CP complicated by sexual dysfunction.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>This research will conduct a systematic search of four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Database, and VIP Database) as well as four international databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library). It will focus on identifying randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examine the effects of CHM interventions for CP complicated by sexual dysfunction and co-occurring anxiety and depression. The selected studies will then be subject to thorough screening and quality evaluation using standardized instruments.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>The results of this study will provide a reliable basis for the efficacy of CHM for managing anxiety and depression in patients with CP complicated by sexual dysfunction.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title><jats:p>This study will compare the clinical efficacy of CHM in managing anxiety and depression in patients with CP complicated by sexual dysfunction, thereby assisting clinicians and patients in selecting more effective intervention regimens during the clinical decision-making process.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Systematic review registration<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:uri>https:\/\/www.crd.york.ac.uk\/prospero\/<\/jats:uri>, identifier CRD420251002787.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1632159","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,5]],"date-time":"2025-08-05T13:29:27Z","timestamp":1754400567000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine on anxiety and depression in patients with chronic prostatitis complicated by sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Zhaozhan","family":"Xie","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xuecheng","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bai","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Qi","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zhihui","family":"Hou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hongling","family":"Jia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yongchen","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.282.3.236","article-title":"Nih consensus definition and classification of prostatitis","volume":"282","author":"Krieger","year":"1999","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-5347(01)63564-X","article-title":"How common is prostatitis? A national survey of physician visits","volume":"159","author":"Collins","year":"1998","journal-title":"J Urol"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.juro.2008.03.139","article-title":"Mechanisms in prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome","volume":"179","author":"Pontari","year":"2008","journal-title":"J Urol"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1212","DOI":"10.1016\/j.juro.2007.05.158","article-title":"Impact of the extent of regional lymphadenectomy on the survival of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract","volume":"178","author":"Kondo","year":"2007","journal-title":"J Urol"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00345-013-1063-x","article-title":"Use of the bulbocavernosus reflex system in assessing voiding dysfunction","volume":"31","author":"Laudano","year":"2013","journal-title":"World J Urol"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000000253","article-title":"Touch inhibits subcortical and cortical nociceptive responses","volume":"156","author":"Mancini","year":"2015","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0262769","article-title":"Pharmacogenetic inhibition of lumbosacral sensory neurons alleviates visceral hypersensitivity in a mouse model of chronic pelvic pain","volume":"17","author":"Xie","year":"2022","journal-title":"PloS One"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2015\/560239","article-title":"Comparison of national institutes of health-chronic prostatitis symptom index with international index of erectile function 5 in men with chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a large cross-sectional study in China","volume":"2015","author":"Gao","year":"2015","journal-title":"BioMed Res Int"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"619","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-5347(05)00233-8","article-title":"A prospective study of symptoms and quality of life in men with chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: the national institutes of health chronic prostatitis cohort study","volume":"175","author":"Propert","year":"2006","journal-title":"J Urol"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11934-005-0025-2","article-title":"Prostatitis: epidemiology of inflammation","volume":"6","author":"Wiygul","year":"2005","journal-title":"Curr Urol Rep"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0064630","article-title":"Association between chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and anxiety disorder: a population-based study","volume":"8","author":"Chung","year":"2013","journal-title":"PloS One"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1159\/000356535","article-title":"Chronic low-grade inflammation in metabolic disorders: relevance for behavioral symptoms","volume":"21","author":"Lasselin","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neuroimmunomodulation"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biopsych.2008.11.029","article-title":"Inflammation and its discontents: the role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of major depression","volume":"65","author":"Miller","year":"2009","journal-title":"Biol Psychiatry"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-006-9086-7","article-title":"Sexual and relationship functioning in men with chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and their partners","volume":"36","author":"Smith","year":"2007","journal-title":"Arch Sex Behav"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.20243","article-title":"Contemporary management of chronic prostatitis","volume":"13","author":"Khattak","year":"2021","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eururo.2015.08.061","article-title":"Contemporary management of chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome","volume":"69","author":"Magistro","year":"2016","journal-title":"Eur Urol"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2010.1913","article-title":"Management of chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis","volume":"305","author":"Anothaisintawee","year":"2011","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1177\/026988119701100117","article-title":"A critical review of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-related sexual dysfunction; Incidence, possible aetiology and implications for management","volume":"11","author":"Lane","year":"1997","journal-title":"J Psychopharmacol"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1097\/00004714-199902000-00013","article-title":"Effects of ssris on sexual function: a critical review","volume":"19","author":"Rosen","year":"1999","journal-title":"J Clin Psychopharmacol"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e22151","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000022151","article-title":"Effectiveness of psychological interventions for treating chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"99","author":"Xu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Med (Baltimore)"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/iju.13706","article-title":"Psychotherapy combined with drug therapy in patients with category iii chronic prostatitis\/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial","volume":"25","author":"Wang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int J Urol"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10753-014-9885-2","article-title":"Geniposide plays an anti-inflammatory role via regulating tlr4 and downstream signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis in mice","volume":"37","author":"Song","year":"2014","journal-title":"Inflammation"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1691\/ph.2019.9506","article-title":"Geniposide protects against ox-ldl-induced foam cell formation through inhibition of mapks and nf-kb signaling pathways","volume":"74","author":"Li","year":"2019","journal-title":"Pharmazie"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2022\/1024693","article-title":"Antidepressant active components of bupleurum chinense dc-paeonia lactiflora pall herb pair: pharmacological mechanisms","volume":"2022","author":"Lv","year":"2022","journal-title":"BioMed Res Int"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/PPA.S108699","article-title":"Efficacy and safety of chinese herbal medicine for chronic prostatitis associated with damp-heat and blood-stasis syndromes: a meta-analysis and literature review","volume":"10","author":"Wang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Patient Prefer Adherence"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/JCMA.0000000000000384","article-title":"The effects of a chinese herbal medicine (vghbph0) on patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a pilot study","volume":"83","author":"Yeh","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Chin Med Assoc"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2022.933290","article-title":"Chinese herbal medicine for functional dyspepsia with psychological disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"16","author":"Luo","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Neurosci"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chmed.2020.01.002","article-title":"Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extract attenuates neurobehavioral and biochemical changes induced by social defeat stress in mice","volume":"12","author":"Umukoro","year":"2020","journal-title":"Chin Herb Med"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n160","article-title":"Prisma 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71","article-title":"The prisma 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0033-3182(71)71479-0","article-title":"A rating instrument for anxiety disorders","volume":"12","author":"Zung","year":"1971","journal-title":"Psychosomatics"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1001\/archpsyc.1965.01720310065008","article-title":"A self-rating depression scale","volume":"12","author":"Zung","year":"1965","journal-title":"Arch Gen Psychiatry"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2044-8341.1959.tb00467.x","article-title":"The assessment of anxiety states by rating","volume":"32","author":"Hamilton","year":"1959","journal-title":"Br J Med Psychol"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1136\/jnnp.23.1.56","article-title":"A rating scale for depression","volume":"23","author":"Hamilton","year":"1960","journal-title":"J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/\/0022-006x.56.6.893","article-title":"An inventory for measuring clinical anxiety: psychometric properties","volume":"56","author":"Beck","year":"1988","journal-title":"J Consult Clin Psychol"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/archpsyc.1961.01710120031004","article-title":"An inventory for measuring depression","volume":"4","author":"Beck","year":"1961","journal-title":"Arch Gen Psychiatry"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/0005-7967(94)00075-u","article-title":"The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the depression anxiety stress scales (dass) with the beck depression and anxiety inventories","volume":"33","author":"Lovibond","year":"1995","journal-title":"Behav Res Ther"},{"key":"B38","first-page":"1","volume-title":"Chinese guidelines and expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of male genitourinary diseases (2016 edition)","year":"2016"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.ijir.3900472","article-title":"Development and evaluation of an abridged, 5-item version of the international index of erectile function (iief-5) as a diagnostic tool for erectile dysfunction","volume":"11","author":"Rosen","year":"1999","journal-title":"Int J Impot Res"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/s0022-5347(05)68562-x","article-title":"The national institutes of health chronic prostatitis symptom index: development and validation of a new outcome measure. Chronic prostatitis collaborative research network","volume":"162","author":"Litwin","year":"1999","journal-title":"J Urol"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.l4898","article-title":"Rob 2: a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials","volume":"366","author":"Sterne","year":"2019","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2010.07.015","article-title":"Grade guidelines: 3. Rating the quality of evidence","volume":"64","author":"Balshem","year":"2011","journal-title":"J Clin Epidemiol"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychiatry"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1632159\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,5]],"date-time":"2025-08-05T13:29:28Z","timestamp":1754400568000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1632159\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,5]]},"references-count":42,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1632159"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1632159","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-0640"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-0640","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,5]]},"article-number":"1632159"}}