Xiaoyaosan (XYS) decoction is a famous prescription which can protect nervous system from stress and treat liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome (LSSDS). In this experiment, we observed the effect of XYS decoction on chronic immobilization stress (CIS) induced learning and
memory deficit in rats from behaviors and changes of
proteins in hippocampus. We used XYS decoction to treat CIS induced learning and
memory deficit in rats with
rolipram as positive control, used change of
body weight and behavioral tests to determine whether the rats have LSSDS and have learning and
memory deficit or not. We used Western blotting to determine the content of
postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and
synaptophysin (SYP) in hippocampus. Results showed that XYS could improve the situation of slow
weight gain induced by CIS, improve the ability of learning and memory, reverse the symptom of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome (LSSDS) in rats, and increase the levels of PSD-95 and SYP on the hippocampal nerve synapses. These findings suggested that XYS decoction may be helpful in reversing CIS induced learning and
memory deficit by increasing the levels of PSD-95 and SYP on the hippocampal nerve synapses and improving synaptic plasticity.