• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.163-173
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• 2009

Objectives : The goal of this study was to investigative the effect of Gardeniae Fructus (GF)as antidepressant in the forced swimming test(FST) model rats. Methods : The expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and c-fos were measured by immunohistochemical method at paraventricular nucleus(PVN), locus coeruleus (LC) and ventral tegmental area(VTA). Results : The duration of immobility in FST was significantly decreased in the GF 100mg/kg groups (p<0.05). CRF expression was significantly decreased at PVN in the GF 100 mg/kg and 400mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group, respectively (p<0.01). c-fos expression was decreased at PVN in the GF 100 mg/kg treated group with no significance. TH expression was significantly decreased in the GF 100 mg/kg and 400mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group, at LC and VTA respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion : According to the results, it can be considered that Gardeniae Fructus has antidepressant effect by showing the reduction of immobility in FST through the reduction of CRF, TH expression.