Objective:To probe the intervention effects of Jiawei Wendan decoction on intracellular calciumion concentration of hippocampal neuron in rat depression model. Method: A total of 196 Sptague-Dawley rats were equally and randomly assigned to four group:blank control

model

traditional Chinese medicine treatment group

and western medicine treatment group.Depression model was established

exception for the blank group

by independent feeding and chronic stress for 21 days.In addition

traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine treatment were administered by Jiawei Wendan decoction 12 g·kg-1·d-1and fluoxetine 1.8 mg·kg-1·d-1

respectively.Model and control group were treated with saline for 28 days. At the 7th

14th

21st

28th day of the experiment

we detected changes of Ca2+ concentration in hippocampus neuron of each group by confocal laser technology. Result: During the progress of depression

the concentration of Ca2+ in depressive rat's hippocampus became higher and higher. At the 21st and 28th day

fluorescence intensity of Ca2+in the model control group was higher than that of the blank group. After administration

this situation had been improved that fluorescence intensity of Ca2+in Jiawei Wendan decoction-treated group and fluoxetine-treated group was both lower than that of the model control group at the 21st and 28th day(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: During the progress of depression

the concentration of Ca2+ increase obviously. Excessive influx of Ca2+ in hippocampus neuron can be inhibited by giving Jiawei Wendan decoction as to improve neuroplasticity for producing antidepressive effect.