Objective:To observe the effect of Keyu Shushen granule on the brain-derived neurotrophic fac-tor（BDNF）in the hippocampus for experimental dysthymia and stagnation of liver-qi syndrome in rat.Method:Sixty male rats were randomly divided into six groups:control

model

Keyu Shushen granule（1.50

0.75

0.375 g.kg-1）

fluoxetine（10 in each group）.The rats were put under chronic unpredictable mild stress and separately raised

in order to induce the model of dysthymia.Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus of rat.Result:Compared with those in control group

BDNF positive neurons in the hippocampus of rat were decreased obviously in the model group.After treatment

the area ratio of BDNF positive neurons in The Keyu Shushen granule（low dose

middle dose）on experimental dysthymia stagnation of liver-qi syn-drome rat was improved.It was exceeded that of the fluoxetine group（P < 0.01）.Difference between middle dose and low dose had no statistical significance.Conclusion:Decrease of the BDNF positive neurons in hippocampus in rat is one of the mechanisms responsible for the dysthymia stagnation disease Keyu Shushen granule can increase thecontent of BDNF in hippocampus with better efficacy compared to fluoxetine.