Therapeutic Efficacy of Chaiyuwendan Decoction and Its Components in Rats with Depression Induced by Chronic Unpredicted Mild Stress

Objective To study the therapeutic efficacy of Chaiyuwendan Decoction and its components in rats with depression induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress(CUMS).Methods Fifty-six rats with similar open-field behavior test scores were randomly and equally divided into normal group,model group,Chaiyuwendan Decoction group,qi-and blood-regulating group,phlegm-eliminating group,heart-and spleen-nourishing group,and maprotiline group.A rat model of depression was induced by social isolation combined with CUMS.These rats underwent open-field behavior test and also underwent sucrose consumption test and weighing;the content of monoamine neurotransmitters including norepinephrine(NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in the prefrontal cortex was measured by high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group had significantly decreased number of square crossings and number of rearings(P0.05 or P0.01),significantly decreased consumption of sucrose solution(P0.01),significantly slower body weight increase(P0.05 or P0.01),and significantly decreased content of NE and 5-HT(P0.05).The Chaiyuwendan Decoction and its components significantly increased open-field behavior test scores(P0.05 or P0.01) and content of 5-HT and NE(P0.05).Conclusion Chaiyuwendan Decoction and its components have antidepressive effects,and Chaiyuwendan Decoction is superior to each of its component.