Study On The Anti-Depressant Effect Of Chaihu Guizhi Decoction And Its Mechinisims Of Actions

Background: Chaihu Guizhi has the effects of treating exogenous wind-cold; alternating episodes of chills and fever; noisy nose and retching; strong headache; chest and rib-side pain, and fullness, in clinical practice, it can also be used for the treatment of depression. The objective of this paper was to study the anti-depressant effect of Chaihu Guizhi decoction and its mechanism.Materials and Methods: The anti-depressant effect of Chaihu Guizhi decoction was investigated by forced swimming test, tail suspension test and antagonism of reserpine hypothermia test in mice.Results: Chaihu Guizhi decoction could significantly shorten immobility time of mice in the forced swimming test, and dose-dependence significantlyshorten immobility time of mice in the tail suspension test, after administration of 50, 100, and 200mg/kg, Chaihu Guizhi decoction, a significant dose-dependent antagonism of reserpine-induced hypothermia was observed in mice of each treatment group.Conclusion: Chaihu Guizhi decoction has an antidepressant effect.Key words: Chaihu Guizhi Decoction; forced swimming; tail suspension test.