ABSTRACT
[Objective] The purpose is to determine the effect of Chaihu Plus Longgumuli Decoction(CD)on behaviors and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)level changed by psychological stress in rats.[Methods] Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to four groups as follows:normal(C),psychological stress model(P),CD(12.5g/kg,ig)+P(DP),and CD(25g/kg,ig)+P(HP).One week later,rats were subjected to psychological stress.The behaviors of rats were tested in open field conditions,and the plasma ACTH level was detected by radioimmunoassay.[Results] The crossing scores,the rearing cores and plasma ACTH level increased more significantly in the psychological stress model rats than that in normal group;Rats in both DP and HP groups showed lower crossing and rearing cores and blunted elevation of plasma ACTH after psychological stress compared with rats in psychological stress model.[Conclusion] The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical(HPA)axis function and anxiety-like behavior could be regulated by CD during psychological stress in rats.
