基于神经活性甾体与抑郁症海马-杏仁核兴奋性的密切关系，以及课题组前期研究发现逍遥散具有调节慢性应激抑郁症大鼠海马-杏仁核神经可塑性兴奋-抑制的平衡作用，本项目提出"逍遥散防治抑郁症可能通过调节海马-杏仁核神经活性甾体平衡"的假说。采用慢性轻度不可预期性应激建立国际公认的抑郁症大鼠模型；GC-MS方法对脑脊液、血清及脑组织匀浆液逍遥散成分进行比较，拟解决逍遥散透过血脑屏障的主要成分有哪些；分别采用ELISA、LC-MS方法检测外周血、海马-杏仁核神经活性甾体（PREG, PROG, ALLO）的含量，免疫印迹法（Western blotting）和RT-qPCR检测海马、杏仁核合成神经活性甾体限速酶（P450scc, 3β-HSD, Srd5a2, 3α-HSD）蛋白和基因表达，阐释逍遥散调节肝郁脾虚型抑郁症海马-杏仁核神经活性甾体的作用机理，为逍遥散防治抑郁症提供科学依据。

Based on the close relationship of excitatory between neuroactive steroid and hippocampus-amygdala in depression and previous studies found that Xiaoyao Powder have an effect on balance regulation of neuronal plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory in hippocampus-amygdala with chronic stress depression rats.Therefore,this project proposed a hypothesis that Xiaoyao powder against depression by regulating the neuronal plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory in hippocampus-amygdala.Internationally recognized rats model with depression was established by chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS). Compared with Xiaoyao Powder composition of the serum, brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid were using GC-Mesta to solve the main components scattered the blood brain barrier, the content of PREG, PROG, ALLO in peripheral blood, hippocampus and amygdale of neuroactive steroids was detected using ELISA and LC-MS;Neuroactive steroids enzyme P450scc, Srd5a2, 3 β-HSD and 3 α-HSD gene expression in the hippocampus- amygdale were measured by western blotting and RT-qPCR.Interpretation the mechanism of Xiaoyao powder has an effect on regulating neuroactive steroids of hippocampus-amygdale in liver stagnation and spleen deficiency. We hope to provide some scientific evidences for Xiaoyao powder against depression.