Objective: To study the antidepressant mechanism of Jieyuwan on animal models. Method: In order to elucidate the mechanism

the antidepressant effect of Jieyuwan was evaluated with antagonism of high dose of apomorphine and 5-HTP induced head-twitches in mice; the effects of Jieyuwan on the levels of monomine and its metabolites in normal and reserpinized-mice were also studied with HPLC-ECD methods. Result: Jieyuwan greatly decreased the range of hypothermia induced by apomorphine in mice; increased the times of 5-HTP induced head-twitches in mice. Acute administration of Jieyuwan could significantly enhance the levels of NE

DA concentration and the ratio of DA to DOPAC in the hypothalamus of mice . Also

an increase in 5-HT

NE

5-HIAA

DOPAC concentration

a decrease in value of 5-HT/5-HIAA

DA/DOPAC in cortex; an increase in value of 5-HT/5-HIAA

DA/DOPAC in hippocampus have been observed. Chronic administration (two weeks) of Jieyuwan increased the levels of 5-HT

DOPAC concentration and the ratio of 5-HT to 5-HIAA in hypothalamus of mice. Meanwhile

an increase in NE

5-HIAA

DOPAC

a decrease in value of 5-HT/5-HIAA

DA/DOPAC in cortex of mice; an increase in 5-HT

NE

DA

5-HIAA concentration and value of DA/DOPAC in hippocampus were shown. Jieyuwan could enhance the levels of 5-HT

5-HIAA concentration and value of DA/DOPAC in hippocampus and NE

5-HIAA concentration in hypothalamus of reserpinized mice. Conclusion: The results indicate that Jieyuwan could enhance the levels of 5-HT

NE and DA in brains with the acute and chronic administration (two weeks). Jieyuwan could also reverse the NE

DA and 5-HT depletion induced by reserpine in brains of mice.