Objective: Kaiyu capsule is a new compound preparation which consists of 8 traditional Chinese herbs. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of Kaiyu capsule on depression-like animal models. Method : ICR mice were randomly allocated to five groups: control

Kaiyu capsule low

middle and high dose groups (6.6

13.2

26.4 g ·kg-1 accordingly)

and Paroxetine (positive control). After intragastric administration for 14 d

the antidepressant effect of Kaiyu capsule was evaluated by using mice tail suspension test

mice forced swimming test

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head-twitches and reserpine reversal model in mice. Result : Compared with control group

the middle and high doses of Kaiyu capsule significantly decreased the accumulative immobility time in mice tail suspension test(P<0.05). High dose Kaiyu capsule obviously increased the head-twitching number induced by 5-HTP(P<0.01)

and shortened the latency period(P<0.05). After sc reserpine

the mice appeared physical signs such as blepharoptosis

akinesia and hypothermia. The middle and high doses of Kaiyu capsule significantly ameliorated the blepharoptosis and akinesia(P<0.01)

and decreased the range of hypothermia in reserpine-induced model mice(P<0.01). Conclusion : Kaiyu capsule has the significant antidepressant effect

and the mechanisms may be related to the enhancement of serotonergic and noradrenergic functions.