Effect of ningxinjieyu capsule on contents of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in cerebral cortex of chronic depression model rats

Objective To observe the impact of ningxinjieyu capsule on contents of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in cerebral cortex of chronic depression model rats. Methods The chronic stressed depression model rats were established by chronic unpredictable stress and separation. the model rats randomly divided into model group, ningxinjieyu high-dose group(10.8 mg/(kg·d)), mid-dose group(3.6 mg/(kg·d)), low-dose group(1.2 mg/(kg·d)) and Fluoxetine group(3.6 mg/(kg·d)) and the normal rats as the control group. Finally the changes of Noradrenaline(NE), Dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT), 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) would be observed using HPLC-ECD technique. Results Compared with the control group, the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT were significantly lower in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the contents of DA were increased in the different concentrations of ningxinjieyue capsule groups, and the contents of 5-HT were higher in the low-dose and high-dose groups((272.15±129.89)ng/g, (445.08±127.56)ng/g, (375.33±52.38)ng/g); the contents of NE were increased in the low-dose and mid-dose groups((408.08±89.55)ng/g, (530.12±149.87)ng/g, (542.53±96.10)ng/g); the contents of HVA were increased in the mid-dose and high-dose groups; the contents of DOPAC were increased in the low-dose group; the contents of 5-HT, DA and NE were increased in the fluoxetine group(P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion Ningxinjieyu capsule has antidepressant effect, the mechanisms might be regulated to the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in cerebral cortex. Key words: Ningxinjieyu capsule; Depression; Chronic stress; Monoamine neurotransmitter