Objective: To use Shenqi Jieyu formula with the power of tonifying heart and spleen to treat postpartum depression (PPD) model animals

and observe the changes in relevant prefrontal cortex

hippocampus 5-serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) and their receptors

in order to explore the intervening mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in in tonifying heart and spleen. Method: Female SD rats

2 to 3 months old

were randomly divided into normal (N) group

sham operation (SO) group

model (M) group

TCM group

and western medicine (WM) group. All rats were observed respectively at 1

2

4

6 weeks after preparation. The PPD model was established through sudden withdrawal of hormones after continuous injection with estrogen and progesterone. Then

the rats were given pharmacological intervention. The rats' materials were collected at the prescribed time points. Their behaviors were tested at each time points. Then the contents of 5-HT

NE were detected by HPLC

and the expressions of 5-HT1AR

α2AR were detected by IHC in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Result: Compared with N and SO

contents of 5-HT and NE in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in M at each time point were lower (P<0.01). Compared with M

contents of 5-HT

NE in prefrontal cortex in TCM

WM at each time point were all increased

except for at 2

4

6 weeks in TCM (P<0.05

P<0.01)

with the same outputs in hippocampus in TCM and WM at each time point. Compared with M

levels of 5-HT1AR in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in N and SO at each time point were enhanced (P<0.01)

while levels of α2AR in above places and at the time points were attenuated (P<0.01). Expressions of 5-HT1AR in prefrontal cortex in TCM at 2

4

6 weeks and in hippocampus at each time point were all higher than M (P<0.01). Compared with M

expressions of α2AR in prefrontal cortex in TCM at 2

4

6 weeks and WM at 4

6 weeks

and in hippocampus in TCM at 4

6 weeks and WM 2

4

6 weeks were decreased (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Shenqi Jieyu formula could significantly promote contents of 5-HT and NE in PPD rats' brain

and effectively regulate the abnormal expressions of their receptors. The balance adjustment for the above neurotransmitters and their receptors might play a very important role for this formula on treating PPD.