Experimental study of Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions on antidepressant effect

WANG Wei; WANG Xiao-hua

Abstract：Objective: To investigate the antidepressant effects and the possible mechanism of Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions. Methods: The antidepressant effects of Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions and its possible mechanism were examined by a series of experiments including mouse tail suspension test, mouse forced swimming test, spontaneous motor activity test, and reserpine-induced hypothermia test. Immobility duration, spontaneous activity frequency, rectal temperature of mouse, mouse's ptosis situation, and the change of monoamine neurotransmitter in cerebral tissues of mouse were observed. Results:The Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions had no significant effect on the spontaneous motor activity in mouse. The Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions (low, middle, high dose groups) reduced the immobility time in both of the tail suspension test and forced swimming test of mouse (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the middle and high dose of Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions groups could obviously oppose the ptosis and hypothermia induced by reserpine (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the middle and high dose of Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions groups could increase the contents of NE, 5-HT (P<0.01) and DA in the cerebral tissues of mouse notably (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion:The Xingshen Kaiyu prescriptions showed significant antidepressant effect, and its mechanism was related to the reinforcement of NE, 5-HT and DA nerves system. It had no effect of central excitability.