Objective: To analyze the effects of traditional Chinese medicine Shuyu Ningxin recipe on on the praxiology and the expressions of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) expression in rats with chronic stress-induced depression. Method: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group

model group

western medicine group (fluoxetine)

as well as Shuyu Ningxin recipe low dose group

middle dose group and high-dose group (2.5

7.5

25.0 g·kg-1respectively)

with 10 models in each group. All other groups except normal control group were subjected to establish chronic stress-induced depression model for a period of 21 days. Starting from two weeks after modeling

the medicine was given for 21 days except those in the normal control group. Rats in model group was administered with normal saline;rats in western medicine group received 12 mg·kg-1 fluoxetine orally;rats in Shuyu Ningxin recipe low dose group

middle dose group and high-dose group orally received 2.5

7.5

25.0 g·kg-1 respectively. Body weight in rats on day 1 (before modeling) and 56 days (after the administration)

sugar intake

the horizontal movement level and vertical movement times were compared. After the end of the experiment

the expression levels of hippocampal BDNF and TrkB were compared between various groups. Result: On day 56

the body weight of the rats

sugar intake

horizontal movement level

vertical movement times

BDNF and TrkB integral absorbance(IA) values in CA1 and CA3 were significantly lower than those in normal group (P<0.05);compared with model group

the above indicators in western medicine group and Shuyu Ningxin recipe group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Shuyu Ningxin recipe can change the expression levels of BDNF and TrkB in hippocampal tissues and thus play a role in antidepressant therapy.