RESUMO
Objective To investigate the effect of β-asarone on hippocampal neurons of experimental depression rats. Methods Eighty male adult SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely normal group, model group, fluoxetine(1.2 mg/kg) group and β-asarone (25 mg/kg) group. Depression rat model was established. The medication groups were given corresponding agents respectively. After treatment for 21 days, the number of apoptotic cells and the histological features in the hippocampus of rats were detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL, respectively. Results Compared with the normal group, typical apoptotic cells were found, apoptotic cell count and apoptotic rate were increased in the hippocampal CA3 and DG area of the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, apoptotic cell count and apoptotic rate were decreased in the hippocampal area ofβ-asarone group and fluoxetine group (P<0.01). Conclusion The protective mechanism of β-asarone for the hippocampal cells of depression rats is probably associated with the reduction of the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.