Effects of Baihe Dihuang powder on chronic stress depression rat models

Abstract Purpose Explore the effect of Baihe Dihuang powder on chronic stress depression rat models. Methods Chronic stress depression rat models were established with different stimuli for 21 days. At the same time, the drug was administered for 21 consecutive days. The animals were weighed once a week after the start of the formal experiment. On the second day after the end of drug administration, conduct sugar water consumption test and open-filed box experiment, and conduct behavioral observation; At the end of behavioral testing, blood was taken from the eyeball and plasma was separated to measure MDA level and erythrocyte SOD activity; Take brain for homogenate, then measure the contents of 5-HT, NE and DA in brain tissue homogenate; Take the thymus and spleen, stained with 10% formalin fixation, embedding and HE staining, then use microscope to observe the histopathological changes. Results Chronic stress depression rats model replicated successfully. Each group of given drugs could increase the weight, the consumption of sugar water, and improve the behavioral score, increase erythrocytes SOD activity and decrease MDA level of plasma, increase the content of 5-HT, NE and DA of brain homogenate, and improve the pathological changes of thymus and spleen of chronic stress depression model animals. Conclusion Chronic stress depression rat model replicates successfully. Baihe Dihuang powder can interfere chronic stress depression rats model through different action pathways.