Objective: To study the influence of Wenyang Jieyu(WYJY) decoction on behavior and serum cortisol(CORT) in the rat models with chronic stress depression. Method: One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups:the normal control group

the model control group

high

medium and low dose of WYJY group(8

6

4 g · kg-1);and the fluoxetine control group(3.33 mg · kg-1). All rats were fed via intragastric administration at doses of 0.02 mL · g-1. Depression model groups were treated by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and single house for 21 d. All rats' behavior changes were observed through open field test(OFT)

forced swimming test(FST) and tail suspension test(TST) at 21 d. The serum CORT and adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) level was also detected by radio-immunoassay at 21 d. Result: Compared with the normal control group

the model control group rats' behavior and hormone level in serum were changed significantly(P < 0.05)

and WYJY could improve these changes. In FST and TST

the immobility time of the rats in high and medium dose(8

6 g · kg-1) of WYJY groups were decreased significantly(P < 0.05). In OFT the cross number of the rats in high dose(8 g · kg-1) of WYJY groups were increased significantly(P < 0.05). The serum CORT and ACTH level of rats in high dose(8 g · kg-1) of WYJY groups were decreased significantly(P < 0.05). Conclusion: WYJU can improve the depressive behavior of CUMS rats and it also can reduce the serum cortisol and adreno-cortico-tropic-hormone level.