Effect of Dan Zhi Xiaoyao San and Its Extracts on Hypothalamus-Pituitary Gland-Adrenal Gland Secretion in Rats with Chronic Psychological Stress

【Objective】To investigate the effects of Dan Zhi Xiaoyao San(DZXS) and its extracts on hypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone(CRH) and plasma corticosterone(CORT) in rats with chronic psychological stress.【Methods】Wistar rats were randomized into 6 groups: A(normal control),B(model control),C (extract of DZXS extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation,3.608?g/kg),D(extract of DZXS extracted by petroleum ether,0.087?g/kg),E(extract of DZXS extracted by polysaccharide,2.20?g/kg) and F(DZXS 14.4?g/kg).Except group A,the rat models of chronic multi-phase psychological stress were established in other groups by improved Cart method.Groups A and B were given normal saline,and groups C,D and E were given the corresponding drugs according to the experimental design.Hypothalamic CRH and plasma CORT contents were examined to explore the therapeutic mechanism.【Results】Compared with group A,hypothalamic CRH and plasma CORT contents were increased in group B;hypothalamic CRH content was decreased in groups C,E and F(P0.05 or P0.01),and plasma CORT content was decreased in groups D,E and F(P0.05 or P0.01).【Conclusion】DZXS and its extracts have an effect on chronic psychological stress by regulating hypothalamic CRH and plasma CORT contents,and CRH and CORT may be the pharmacological targets of DZXS in counteracting the damage induced by chronic psychological stress.