Objective To investigate the mechanism of Anshen Dingzhi Ling Formula（安神定志灵方） on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder（ADHD）. Methods Totally 40 spontaneously hypertension rats（SHR） were randomly divided into a model group

a strattera group

Anshen Dingzhi Ling low

medium and high dose groups

with eight rats in each group. Additionally

eight Wistar-Kyoto rats（WKY） were set as normal group 1

and eight SD rats were set as normal group 2. The rats in strattera group were administered with atomoxetine hydrochloride capsule 0.045 mg/kg per day; Anshen Dingzhi Ling low

medium and high dose groups were administered with 6.7

13.4

and 26.7 g/kg Anshen Dingzhi Ling per day separately; and rats in the normal group 1

normal group 2 and model group were given normal saline 1.5 ml/100 g; all groups were administered by gavage

twice daily

every morning and evening

for 4 weeks. The expression of dopamine β-hydroxylase（DβH） and norepinephrine transporter（NET） protein in the prefrontal cortex were detected by Western blotting; the expression of DβH and NET mRNA was detected by PCR technology; and the expression of DβH and NET positive cells were detected by immunofluorescence technology. Results Compared with normal group 1 and normal group 2

the expression of DβH protein

mRNA

and positive cells in the prefrontal cortex of model group were decreased

while that of NET protein

mRNA

and positive cells were increased（P<0.05）. Compared with the model group

the expression levels of DβH protein

mRNA

and positive cells were higher in strattera group and in Anshen Dingzhi Ling low dose group

and the expression levels of NET protein

mRNA

and positive cells were lower in strattera group and in Anshen Dingzhi Ling low and medium dose groups（P<0.05）. Compared with strattera group

the expression level of DβH protein

mRNA

and positive cells were higher in Anshen Dingzhi Ling low dose group

while the expression level of NET protein

mRNA

and positive cells were lower in Anshen Dingzhi Ling high dose group（P<0.05）. Conclusion Anshen Dingzhi Ling Formula may improve the clinical symptoms of ADHD by modulating the expression of DβH and NET in the SHR prefrontal cortex.