Objective:To observe the effects of Yulangsan polysaccharides (YLSPA) on behavior

structure changes of hippocampus in mice with chronic stress-induced depression. Method: Fifty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control

animal model

fluoxetine 20 mg·kg-1 and YLSPA 1 200 mg·kg-1

YLSPA 600 mg·kg-1 groups with continuous oral administration for 21 d

and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) with isolated support was imposed simultaneously to establish mouse depression model. The behavior changes of mice were evaluated by sucrose water consumption and the spontaneous activity; the structure changes of hippocampus were detected by the brain tissue HE staining. Result: The weight

the number of active stand

the consumption and preference for sucrose solution of the animal model group were significantly decreased compared with normal control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05)

and were increased in YLSPA group and fluoxetine group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Chronic unpredictable mild stress with isolated support could damage the structure of hippocampus

reduce the number of cells

YLSPA and fluoxetine could ameliorate these changes. Conclusion: YLSPA can improve the behavior scores of the mice with depression and ameliorate the damage of hippocamus induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress.