Objective To explore the possible mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Decoction（ 左归姜汤解郁方） in treating diabetic rats with depression. Methods A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group

model group

western medicine group and traditional Chinese medicine（ TCM） high and low dose groups

with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group

rats were given administration of high fat emulsion

injection of streptozotocin（ STZ） via coccygeal vein

and chronic stress to establish rat models of diabetes complicated with depression. During chronic stress modeling

the western medicine group was administrated with metformin 0. 18 g/（ kg·d） and fluoxetine 1. 8 mg/（ kg·d）

and the TCM high and low dose groups were respectively given Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Decoction 20. 53

10. 26 g/（ kg·d）. The normal group and the model group were given an equal volume of distilled water once a day. After 28 days

the levels of interleukin 1β（ IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α（ TNF-α） in hippocampus were detected

and the expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1（ Iba-1）

chemotactic factor CX3 C receptor 1（ CX3 CR1）

nuclear transcription factor-κB（ NF-κB） and phosphorylated nuclear transcription factors-κB（ p NF-κB） proteins expressions in rats were determined. Results Compared with the normal group

the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in hippocampus were significantly increased（ P < 0. 01）

the expression of Iba-1

CX3 CR1 and p NF-κB in the model group were significantly increased（ P < 0. 01）. Compared with the model group

the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of Iba-1

CX3 CR1 and p NF-κB in western medicine group TCM high dose group was decreased significantly

and the expression of IL-1β

TNF-α; CX3 CR1 and p NF-κB in TCM low dose group was decreased（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Compared with TCM high dose group

CX3 CR1 and p NF-κB expressions in TCM low dose group increased significantly（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Decoction can significantly reduce the level of hippocampal inflammation factors in diabetic rats with depression

which may be related to the function of microglial activation inhibition and down-regulation the expression of CX3 CR1 and NF-κB.