Abstract:Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of Wuling capsule combined with oryzanol tablet in the treatment of post-stroke depression.Methods A total of 94 patients with post-stroke depression who were admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to May 2023 were included and divided into the study group and the control group by the random number table method, with 47 patients in each group. Along with conventional treatment in both groups, the control group received oryzanol tablets, and the study group received Wuling capsules plus oryzanol tablets. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Neurological function, depression, clinical efficacy, sleep quality, activities of daily living, inflammatory signaling pathways, neurotransmitters, neurotrophins and safety were compared between the two groups.Results The differences of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NHISS) scores and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores before and after treatment in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The overall effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The differences of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores before and after treatment in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The differences of protein expressions of PI3K and Akt before and after treatment in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The differences of levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) before and after treatment in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion Wuling capsule combined with oryzanol tablet demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy by improving the degree of depression, neurological function, sleep quality, activities of daily living, and regulating the expressions of neurotransmitters and neurotrophins in patients with post-stroke depression, which may be related to the modulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Besides, the treatment is safe and reliable.