Objective To observe the effect and adverse reaction of Shugan Bushen Jieyu Decoction（Decoction for soothing the liver

tonifying the kidney

and relieving the depression） plus maprotiline for depression.Methods A total of 44 depression patients were randomized into research group and control group

with 22 cases in each.The research group was administered Shugan Bushen Jieyu Decoction and maprotiline and the control group was given maprotiline only.The effect was assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale（HAMD） and Hamilton Anxiety Scale（HAMA）

and the adverse reaction was evaluated by Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale（TESS）.Results Before treatment

the scores of HAMD and HAMA in both groups were not significantly different（P>0.05）.At the end of the 1st

2nd

4th

and 6th week

the scores of HAMD and HAMA in both groups were significantly decreased（P<0.05 or P<0.01）.The scores of HAMD and HAMA in the research group at the end of the 1st

2nd

4th

and 6th week were statistically different from those of the control group（P<0.05 or P<0.01）.②The comparison of the clinical effect: the remarkably effective rate in the research group and the control group was 81.8% and 77.3% respectively.The effect of the research group was superior to that of the control group（P<0.01）. At the end of the 1st week

there were 11 effective cases in the research group and 8 effective cases in the control group;at the end of the 2nd week

there were 15 effective cases in the research group and 10 effective cases in the control group;and at the end of the 4th week

there were 18 effective cases in the research group and 16 effective cases in the control group

the difference between groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）.The adverse reaction such as dry mouth

constipation

blurred vision

palpitation

and abnormal ECG

etc.in the research group was significantly lowered

and it was significantly different from that of the control group （P<0.01）.Conclusion Shugan Bushen Jieyu Decoction can enhance the overall effect of maprotiline on depression and reduce its adverse reaction.The combination of Chinese medicine with western medicine is better in effect than the single use of western medicine and the untoward reaction is less.