Objective: To investigate the effect of beta-asarone on the expression of circadian gene clock in depression model rats. Method: Male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal group

model group

agomelatine (melatonin agonist group drug)

beta-asarone low-dose group

high-dose group with 10 rats in each group

chronic unpredictable stimulation (CMUS) was given for 28 days to copy the rat model of depression. From the beginning of the eighth day model group

agomelatine group

beta-asarone low-dose groups

beta-asarone high-dose group were given normal saline

agomelatin(40 mg · kg-1 · d-1)

beta-asarone(12.5

25 mg · kg-1 ·d-1)

5 mL · kg-1 gavage. The body weight

horizontal movement and sucrose preference were detected for assessing rat ethological changes on the beginning of the experiment and the 28th day. Then they were sacrificed and

taken the rats brain out on the ice. The expression of circadian gene were detected by using Q-PCR

Western blotting. Result: On behaviors

after 28 days the increases of the model rat body weight were significantly lower than normal group and drug group.On expression of the circadian gene clock

compared with normal group

the expression of circadian gene clock in model group was significantly higher than that in normal group. There was no significant difference among the agomelatine group

beta-asarone two doses group

and the normal group on the expression of the circadian gene clock;compared with the model group

the expression of the gene in agomelatonin group

beta-asarone two doses group were significantly lower than the model group;compared with agomelatine group

no significant difference in the expression of clock among the beta-asarone low dose group

the beta-asarone high dose group and the agomelatine group. Conclusion: beta-asarone may improve the depressive state in depression by affecting the expression of the depression in circadian clock genes clock rats.