| Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the effects of BDX capsule, a Chinese Medicinal Formula, on the PMS model rats with Liver-qi Invasion and the possible underlying micro-mechanisms.Methods: After vaginal smear examination and open-field test, PMS model rats with Liver-qi Invasion were treated with electrical stimulating mothod, and evaluated by macro-behavior observation and open-field test. Then MTT assay and the whole-cell patch clamp recording were performed respectively to evaluate the effects of serum from BDX capsule-treated rats on the viability and GABA-induced currents of cortical neurons in vitro.Results: In the open-field test, the crossing score, rearing score and total score of Model rats increased significantly (P<0.05), compared with the Normal rats, and that of Model+BXD group decreased (P<0.05), compared with model rats. Compared with cells exposed to serum of normal rats, the viability values of those incubated with serum of Normal+BXD group and Model+BXD group for 24h and of Normal+BXD group for 48h significantly increased (P<0.05), and that of Control and Model group for 48h significantly decreased (P<0.05), measured with MTT assay; that of others had no obvious difference. The results of whole-cell patch clamp recording showed that concentration-response relationship curves revealed an EC50 value of 29.0±4.4μM and a Hill coefficient of 1.07 for Model+BXD-exposed cultures, 63.5±8.2μM, 1.04 for Model-exposed cultures after incubation for 24h. Furthermore, the difference in EC50 values was statistically significant (t test, P <0.01), that in the Hill coefficient was not obvious (U test, P>0.05). Conclusions: BDX capsule could effectively enhance the neuron viability and GABAA receptor activity in rat cortex; Paeonimetabolins I and Paeonol may play a significant role in treating PMS model rats with Liver-qi Invasion by BDX capsule, and they may target at GABAA receptor, especially.
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