Antidepressant-Like Effects of Yueju Ganmai Dazao Decoction Associated with PKA-CREB-BDNF Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampus of Mice

OBJECTIVE To explore the antidepressant effect of Yueju Ganmai Dazao Decoction (YG) and its association with PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway. METHODS Forced swimming (FST) was used to detect the time-effect of anti-depression after a single administration of YG.The chronic unpredictable model (CMS) further tested the antidepressant effect of YG on the depression model.Western blot expression was used to detect the expression of PKA， CREB and BDNF in hippocampus at 30 min and 24 h after single administration of YG. RESULTS YG showed long-lasting antidepressant potential in FST， meanwhile it also significantly and rapidly reversed behavioral deficits in chronically stressed mice. In the chronic mouse model， the expression of PKA， CREB and BDNF in the hippocampus was significantly up-regulated. CONCLUSION YG displays rapid and lasting antidepressant-like effect and its function is related to the PKA-CREB-BNDF pathway.