Objective:To study the clinical efficacy and mechanism of action for treating menopausal women with depression by Zuogui wan and anti-depression wan. Method:Ninety patients were randomly divided into treatment and control groups (n=45 each). Control group were treated with duloxetine 20 mg

tid

orally. The treatment group was given Zuogui wan

9 g

bid orally and anti-depression wan

4 g

tid

orally

for 8 weeks. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)

the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI)

serum estradiol (E2)

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

luteinizing hormone (LH) and serum 5-hydroxy tryptamine(5-HT) were used to evaluate the efficacy. Result:After 8 weeks treatment

HAMD and PSQI scores in the treatment group were lowered compared with those in the control group (P<0.01). In the treatment group

level of E2 was significantly increased

higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). FSH and LH levels in the two groups were significantly lowered. The levels of FSH and LH were significantly lowered in the treatment group compared with those in the control group (P<0.05

P<0.01). Serum 5-HT levels were significantly elevated in the two groups

the level in treatment group was not increased as that much as in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of treatment group(91.11%) was better than that in the control group(75.55%) (P<0.05). Conclusion:Zuogui wan and anti-depression wan are effective and safety for treating menopausal women with depression.