To discuss the effect of Suanzaoren tang on glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and connexin 43(Cx43)in astrocytes in cerebral cortex in rats with depression.Methods:A total of 80 rats were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the fluoxetine group and the Chinese medicine group,20 rats in each group.Except those in the blank group,the rat models with depression were established by chronic unpredictability mild stress(CUMS)and social isolation in the other groups.Each group was treated accordingly,and the glucose consumption,the changes in indexes of the Open-Field Test,the cell injury in cerebral cortex after never block and the expressions of GFAP and Cx43 in cerebral cortex in each group were compared.Results:Compared with those in the blank group,the glucose consumption as well as the horizontal and vertical movements in the model group were significantly decreased,while the total scores of never injury and the expressions of GFAP and Cx43 in astrocytes in cerebral cortex in the model group were significantly increased,differences being significant(P<0.05).Compared with those in the model group,the glucose consumption as well as the horizontal and vertical movements in the fluoxetine group and the Chinese medicine group were significantly increased,while the total scores of never injury and the expressions of GFAP and Cx43 in astrocytes in cerebral cortex in the two groups were significantly decreased,differences being significant(P < 0.05);there was no significant difference being found in the comparison of each indexes between the fluoxetine group and the Chinese medicine group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Suanzaoren tang can significantly reduce the glucose consumption,the injury of neurons and the expressions of GFAP and Cx43,and weaken the locomotor activity in rats with depression.