Objective: To investigate the possible effect of antidepressant effect of total triterpentes of Centella asiatica.
Methods: The corticosterone levels in serum were measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. The contents of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in rats cortex, hippocamopus and thalamus were evaluated by using HPLC with electrochemical detector.
Results: Significant reduction of the corticosterone level in serum and increase of the contents of 5-HT, NE, DA and their metabolites 5-HIAA, MHPG in rat brain were observed.
Conclusion: The antidepressant effect of total triterpenes of Centella asiatica may be involved in ameliorating the function of HPA axis and increasing the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters.