Objective To observe the effect of combined administration of intragastric perfusion of extract of Hypericum Perforatum L(HP-L) and electroacupuncture(EA) of "Baihui"(GV 20) and "Yamen"(GV 15) on behavior and brain microcirculation in depression rats.Methods Female SD rats were randomized into control

model

lower-dose of HP-L(lower-dose in short

10 mg/kg)

lower-dose+EA

higher-dose(20 mg/kg) and higher-dose+EA groups(n=10/group).Depression model was established by lonely raising and chronic unpredictable mild stress(tail cramping

water-deprivation

fasting

electrical shock stimulation

etc.) for 21 days.EA(2 Hz

1 mA) was applied to "Baihui"(GV 20) and "Yamen"(GV 15) for 20 min

once daily for 14 days.Changes of ethology including glucose-consumption during 1 h

crossing and rearing scores of open-field test during 3 min(for assessing the rats' locomoto)and laser Doppler flowmetry values of cortical regional cerebral bloodflow(r CBF) were detected

and Morris water maze test(for assessing the rats' learning-memory ability) was conducted.Results In comparison with the control group

the sucrose consumption

crossing and rearing scores of open-field test

the average swimming velocity(ASV)

the ratios of path length and swimming duration near the hidden-platform and the path length and swimming duration far from the platform of Morris water maze test during 70 seconds

and the cortical r CBF value in the model group were decreased significantly(P<0.01)

while the total swimming distance and escape latency in the model group increased apparently(P<0.01).Compared to the model group

the average sucrose consumption

crossing and rearing scores of open-field test

the ASV

and the ratios of path length and swimming duration near the platform and those far from the platform in the lower-dose

lower-dose+EA

higher-dose and higher-dose+EA groups

and the cortical r CBF in the lower-dose+EA and higher-dose+EA groups were increased considerably(P<0.05

P<0.01).The total swimming distances and escape latencies of lower-dose

lower-dose+EA

higher-dose and higher-dose+EA groups were significantly shortened in comparison with the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01).The sucrose consumption and crossing score were significantly higher in the higher-dose+EA group than in the lower-dose group(P<0.05).The escape latency was significantly shorter in the higher-dose+EA group than in the lower-dose group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found among the lower-dose

lower-dose+EA and higher-dose groups in the sucrose consumption

crossing score and escape latency;among the lower-dose

lower-dose+EA

higher-dose and higher-dose+EA groups in the rearing score and ASV;among the lower-dose

higher-dose and model groups in the cortical r CBF(P>0.05).Conclusion EA can enhance the effect of extract of HP-L in increasing sucrose consumption

crossing score and cerebral blood flow

and in shortening escape latency in depression rats

which may contribute to their effect in improving depression.But HP-L itself has no effect on cortical microcirculation.