Objective:To evaluate the antianxiety effect of Coptidis Rhizoma in mice and study the related mechanism.Method:Male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups（n=12 each

model control group

the positive control group

1.8 g·kg-1 high-dose group Coptidis Rhizoma decoction

the 0.9 g·kg-1 dose

0.45 g·kg-1 low-dose group）.Model group was given normal saline

and the positive group was given 2.5 mg·kg-1 diazepam.Mice were treated with drugs for 5 days.We carried out the elevated plus-maze test and light-dark transitions test half one hour after the last drug administration.HPLC-FLD was applied to detect the content of gama-aminobutyric acid（GABA）

glucose（Glu） and 5-hydroxytryptamine（5-HT） in mouse’s brain.Result:Coptidis Rhizoma decoction could significantly increase the percentage of the times entering the open arms and stay duration in the total period.And it could increase the times of passing the box.The content of GABA in Coptidis Rhizoma high dose group was the highest

and GABA in positive group was more than that in the model group.Conclusion:Coptidis Rhizoma displays anti-anxiety effect in the elevated plus-maze test and light-dark transitions test.The mechanism is related with enhancing the content of GABA in the brain.