RESUMEN
Objective To study the anti-depression mechanism of Dingzhixiaowan concerning on histology of hippocampal formation.Methods 40 female rats were divided into control,depression model group(model group),distilled water group(DW group) and Dingzhixiaowan group(Chinese herb group).Behavior points were measured by open field method.Serum concentrations of cortisol and estradiol(E2) were checked with ELISA.HE staining and electron microscopy were applied to observe the histology of neurons in hippocampal formation.Immunohistochemistry method was employed to detect Nestin expression.Results Compared with the control,behavior points,serum E2 level and Nestin expression decreased obviously and serum cortisol level increased markedly,CA3 neurons were seriously damaged in model and DW groups.While behavior points,serum E2 level did not change,Nestin expression increased obviously and serum cortisol level decreased markedly,CA3 neurons were basically normal in Chinese herb groups.Conclusion Dingzhixiaowan can protect hippocampal formation,which might be one of the anti-depression mechnisms.