Objective: To investigate the antidepressant activity of qingyangshenylycosides (QYS) in the chronic unpredictable mild stress rats (CUMS)

and to explore its mechanism by the comparison of concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters in brain tissue. Method: A total of 54 male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups:the normal group

the model group

the fluoxetine group

the low-

medium-and high-dose QYS groups (0.625

2.5

10 mg·kg-1) of 9 rats each. The CUMS model was induced in rats by receiving unpredictable mild stress for 21 days. Meanwhile

the corresponding medicines were intragastrically administered to rats. The antidepressant effects of QYS on CUMS rats were evaluated by using the tail suspension test

forced swimming test and open field test. The concentrations of monoamines in rat brain including noradrenaline (NE)

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatograph with electrochemical detection method. Result: Compared with the normal group

the immobility time in tail suspension and forced swimming test increased

the autonomic activities decreased

the concentrations of NE

5-HT and DA in frontal cortex decreased in the model group. Compared with model group

the immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming test decreased

the autonomic activities increased

the concentrations of NE

5-HT increased in the high-dose QYS group (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: QYS at 10 mg·kg-1 produced reliable antidepressant effect in CUMS rats. The mechanism may be related to improving the concentrations of NE and 5-HT in the CUMS rat brain.