Abstract: This study evaluated the antidepressant effect and mechanism of swertisin by the behavioral and drug-imduced depression models in mice.The results showed thatswertisin had no excitatory effect on central nervous system,while significantly shortened the immobility times in tail suspension and forced swimming tests,increasedthe head-twitch number induced by 5-HTP,antagonized reserpine induced temperature decrease and blepharoptosis,andenhancde the mortality by yohimbin in mice.But it had no effect on tryptamine hydrochloride induced convulsion in rats.These studies suggested that the antidepressant activity of swertisin was exerted probably through inhibition of 5- serotonin reuptake,enhancement of neural functions of brain neurotransmitter 5-HT and,norepinephrine while was not relatedwith the inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity.

Key words: swertisin, antidepression effect, effective mechanism, monoamine transmitter