抑郁症是常见的精神疾患，因其发病机制不完全清楚，目前尚无理想的治疗药物。应激导致糖皮质激素水平升高是抑郁症发生的重要因素之一。我们前期研究发现，大脑星形胶质细胞间的缝隙连接蛋白Cx43功能障碍是抑郁发病及抗抑郁药治疗的一个环节，且糖皮质激素水平的升高会影响Cx43的功能，进一步研究发现人参皂苷Rg1有抗抑郁活性，但其作用机制尚不清楚。本项目拟利用基因芯片、RNAi、Time-Lapse、微透析和电镜及分子药理学等方法技术，在分子、细胞和动物水平上揭明“糖皮质激素-缝隙连接蛋白Cx43-抑郁症”的关系，及解明人参皂苷及其衍生物抗抑郁作用是否介于调节缝隙连接蛋白Cx43的功能。本项目的研究不仅为阐明抑郁症发病的新机制提供实验依据，也为开发具有我国自主知识产权的抗抑郁新药提供科学依据，具有一定的理论意义和潜在的应用价值。

Depression is a common mental disorder. Because its pathogenesis is still unclear, there is no ideal antidepressant. Stress is one of the important factors in the occurrence of depression. We previously found that the astrocytic gap junctional dysfunction is a new pathogenesis of depression and elevated levels of glucocorticoid is necessary for the occurrence of depression by influencing Cx43 function. Further study revealed the antidepressant-like effects of ginsenoside Rg1, but its mechanism is not clear. The project intends to clarify the relationship of "glucocorticoid-Cx43-depression" and the roles of active components of ginseng in their antidepressant effects, using microarrays, RNAi, Time-Lapse, microdialysis, electron microscopy, and other molecular pharmacology techniques. This project will not only facilitate to elucidate the new mechanism of the depression, but also provide the scientific basis for the development of the antidepressants with independent intellectual property rights. There is certain theoretical significance and potential application value.