Objective:To explore the effects of anshen jieyu decoction on hippocampal morphology and regulation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis expression in CUMS depressed rats.Methods:Rats were divided into a control group(Control),CUMS model group(CUMS),and ASJYD treatment group(CUMS+ASJYD).Rats in the CUMS and CUMS+ASJYD groups were exposed to 10 different chronic stressors to induce depressive-like behaviors.After modeling,the CUMS+ASJYD group received ASJYD via gavage.Depressive-like behaviors were assessed using the sucrose preference test and open field test.Serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hor-mone(ACTH)and corticosterone(CORT)were measured by ELISA.Hippocampal neuronal morphological changes were observed via Nissl staining,mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined using transmission electron microscopy,and hippocampal PI3K and AKT protein phosphorylation levels were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the Control group,the CUMS group showed significantly reduced sucrose consumption,preference rate,total travel distance in the open field,and central zone activity time(P＜0.01).Serum ACTH and CORT levels were elevated(P＜0.01),with disorganized hippocampal cell arrangement,reduced cell count,mitochondrial swelling,cristae blurring/rupture observed under electron microscopy,and decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3 K and AKT proteins(P＜0.01).After ASJYD treatment,the CUMS+ASJYD group exhibited significant improvements in sucrose consumption,preference rate,locomotor activity,and central zone exploration(P＜0.01),accompanied by reduced ACTH/CORT expression,alleviated hippocampal pathology,restored mitochondrial integrity with clear cristae,and increased PI3K/AKT phosphorylation(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Anshen Jieyu decoction significantly improved the depression-like be-haviour of CUMS rats,which may be achieved by down-regulating the hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,regulating the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,and ameliorating the damage to hippocampal neurons and mi-tochondria.

Perimenopausal depression seriously affects women's physical and mental health.It is caused primarily by gonadal function decline,which is typically characterized by low mood,anxiety,slow thinking,and loss of interest,and is accompanied by autonomic dysfunction and endocrine dysfunction.The pathogenesis of perimenopausal depression remains unclear and controversial.Many scholars have conducted scientific research that is based on animal models of perimenopausal depression.Indeed,a good animal model of perimenopausal depression is the basic premise for studying its pathophysiological mechanisms and for facilitating reliability of the scientific result.Therefore,this paper combines the modern research mechanisms of perimenopausal depression and the current status of animal models in China,and provides an overview,evaluation,and generalization of the modeling method,principles and result,to provide a scientific basis and reference for the selection of suitable animal models for scientific research experiments.

Objective:To explore the effects of anshen jieyu decoction on hippocampal morphology and regulation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis expression in CUMS depressed rats.Methods:Rats were divided into a control group(Control),CUMS model group(CUMS),and ASJYD treatment group(CUMS+ASJYD).Rats in the CUMS and CUMS+ASJYD groups were exposed to 10 different chronic stressors to induce depressive-like behaviors.After modeling,the CUMS+ASJYD group received ASJYD via gavage.Depressive-like behaviors were assessed using the sucrose preference test and open field test.Serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hor-mone(ACTH)and corticosterone(CORT)were measured by ELISA.Hippocampal neuronal morphological changes were observed via Nissl staining,mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined using transmission electron microscopy,and hippocampal PI3K and AKT protein phosphorylation levels were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the Control group,the CUMS group showed significantly reduced sucrose consumption,preference rate,total travel distance in the open field,and central zone activity time(P＜0.01).Serum ACTH and CORT levels were elevated(P＜0.01),with disorganized hippocampal cell arrangement,reduced cell count,mitochondrial swelling,cristae blurring/rupture observed under electron microscopy,and decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3 K and AKT proteins(P＜0.01).After ASJYD treatment,the CUMS+ASJYD group exhibited significant improvements in sucrose consumption,preference rate,locomotor activity,and central zone exploration(P＜0.01),accompanied by reduced ACTH/CORT expression,alleviated hippocampal pathology,restored mitochondrial integrity with clear cristae,and increased PI3K/AKT phosphorylation(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Anshen Jieyu decoction significantly improved the depression-like be-haviour of CUMS rats,which may be achieved by down-regulating the hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,regulating the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,and ameliorating the damage to hippocampal neurons and mi-tochondria.

Perimenopausal depression seriously affects women's physical and mental health.It is caused primarily by gonadal function decline,which is typically characterized by low mood,anxiety,slow thinking,and loss of interest,and is accompanied by autonomic dysfunction and endocrine dysfunction.The pathogenesis of perimenopausal depression remains unclear and controversial.Many scholars have conducted scientific research that is based on animal models of perimenopausal depression.Indeed,a good animal model of perimenopausal depression is the basic premise for studying its pathophysiological mechanisms and for facilitating reliability of the scientific result.Therefore,this paper combines the modern research mechanisms of perimenopausal depression and the current status of animal models in China,and provides an overview,evaluation,and generalization of the modeling method,principles and result,to provide a scientific basis and reference for the selection of suitable animal models for scientific research experiments.