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 significantly shorten 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.