Abstract:Objective: To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan powder (CSGS) alcohol extracts on behaviors in a mouse model of depression.Methods: Mice model of depressiion was established by combination of CUMS and CRS to evaluate the antidepressant effects by performing the body weight growth rate, sucrose preference test, open field test, emotional behavior test, tail suspension test, and force swimming test.Results: Combation of CUMS and CRS induced significant depressive behaviors as compared with the control group. Namely, the body weight growth rate was slower (P＜0.01); the sucrose preference rate reduced; the acrossing-movement times and rearing-movement times of model mice were lower in open field test (P＜0.01, P＜0.05); the emotional behavior score of model mice was lower in emotional behavior test (P＜0.05); the non-movement time of model mice was longer in tail suspension test (P＜0.01); the immobility time was increased in force swimming test of model mice (P＜0.01). Compared with the saline group, treatment of alcohol extract of Chaihu Shugan powder (4.1, 8.2, 16.4 g·kg-1) could improve the symptoms of depressive mice in a dose-related manner (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). Based on the equal amount of crude drug (8.2 g·kg-1), treatment of alcohol extract for 28 days showed higher body weight and acrossing-movement times, and lower immobility time in the open field test and force swimming test respectively (P＜0.05).Conclusion: Depression model was successfully established by combining the CUMS and CRS. CSGS alcohol extract showed notable antidepressant effects.

Key words:Chaihu Shugan Powder,alcohol extracts,water extracts,depression model,ethology