To observe the antidepressant effect of Xixin Decoction and volatile oil mixture on reserpine-induced depression in rats and explore its mechanism.Methods:Except the normal control group，intraperitoneal injections of reserpine was given 0.3 mg/kg abdominal cavity injection every day.The rats in each group were given orally for 12 consecutive days after the 4th day of intraperitoneal injection.The changes of body weight and rectal temperature of rats，the distance of movement and the number of times of standing were observed.The contents of monoamine transmitters and their metabolites were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:Compared with the control group，body weight，the rectal temperature，the distance of behavioral movement and standing times in the model group were significantly reduced (P<0.01)，the contents of serotonin (5-HT)，dopamine (DA) and adenaline (NE) in the brain tissue of the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01).Compared with the model group，the high，medium and low doses of Xixin decoction and volatile oil mixture can correct the decreasing trend of of body weight，rectal temperature，behavioral distance and standing times induced by reserpine to different degrees，and increase the content of 5-HT，DA and NE in the rat brain tissue，and decrease the content of 5-hyroxyindole acetic (5-HIAA)，4-dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC)，homovanillic (HVA) in the rat brain tissue.Conclusion:Xixin Decoction and volatile oil mixture showed a good antidepressant effect on reserpine-induced depression in rats，and the antidepressant effect may be related to its ability to enhance the synthesis of monoamine transmitters and inhibit the metabolism of monoamine transmitters.Quality metabolism is closely related.