In a rat model of depression, Shuganjieyu capsules increased phosphorylation levels of the phosphorylation cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA3 area, which is believed to be the major mechanism of its antidepressant effect (36). This evidence concerns the gene BDNF and depressive symptom measurement.