Objective: To research the effects of Albizzia julibrissin flower total flavonoids (AJFTF) on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and tyrosin kinase B(TrkB) in the hippocampus CA3 of rats with depression. Method: Ninty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group

model group

venlafaxine hydrochloride group (12.5 mg·kg-1)

and high

middle

low dosages of AJFTF groups(100

50

25 mg·kg-1). Depression model rats were induced by solitary cultivation plus chronic stress. Rats in venlafaxine hydrochloride and AJFTF groups were orally administered with venlafaxine hydrochloride or AJFTF once daily for 21 days

and rats in normal and model groups with equal volume distilled water. The learning and memory ability of rats were determined by Morris maze method

and the expressions of BDNF and Trkb in hippocampal CA3 were determinated by immunohisto chemical assay. Result: Compared with the normal group

escape latencies in model group were significantly increased and the times of succeed were decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01)

and the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus CA3 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group

escape latencies were significantly decreased and the times of succeed were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01)in venlafaxine hydrochloride group

AJFTF (100

50

25 mg·kg-1) dosage groups

and the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus CA3 was significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: AJFTF can improve the learning and memory ability of rats with depression

and its mechanism may be related to the improvement of the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus CA3 to protect the hippocampal neurons.