Objective: To study the effect of Shenguiren mixture on behavior of postpartum depression model rats

and measure protein expression of mitogen-activated extracellular regulated kinase 1(MEK1) on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) channel in hippocampus

frontallobe and hypothalamus neurons. Method: Totally 150 female rats were divided into control group

model group

high

medium and low-dose Shenguiren groups (7

3.6

1.8 g·kg-1·d-1)

positive drug groups[sertraline group (4.5 mg·kg-1·d-1)

and estradiol benzoate (0.01 mg·kg-1·d-1)]. Except for the normal group

all of the remaining groups were subcutaneously injected with estradiol benzoate and progesterone to establish the depression model. Changes in their behavioral indicators were observed. Protein expressions of p-MEK1

MEK1 in hippocampus

frontallobe

hypothalamus neurons were detected by Western blot. Result: Compared with normal group

model group showed significant decreases in weight

appetite

activity

interest

but increases in protein expression of p-MEK1 in hippocampus

frontallobe

hypothalamus neurons (P<0.01). Shenguiren mixture can improve behavioral indicators

such as weight

appetite

activity

interest of the postpartum depression model group. The depression model showed obvious decreases in protein expressions of p-MEK1

MEK1 in hippocampus

frontallobe

hypothalamus neurons. high

medium

low-dose Shenguiren groups showed obvious increases in protein expressions of p-MEK1

MEK1 in hippocampus

frontallobe

hypothalamus neurons

particularly in medium

low-dose Shenguiren groups. Conclusion: Shenguiren mixture can improve the behavioral indicators of the postpartum depression model rats

up-regulate protein expressions of p-MEK1

MEK1 of ERK1/2 signaling pathway to a certain extent

particularly in medium

low-dose Shenguiren groups. This suggests that the mechanism of Shenguiren mixture is to regulate ERK1/2 signaling pathway and alleviate symptoms of depression.