The unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model is established by inducing anhedonia-like behaviors in rodents—one of the core symptoms of depression in humans—while also mimicking other clinical manifestations of depression. Anhedonic behaviors are assessed by measuring the intake or preference ratio of 1% sucrose solution.

Modeling method: Mice were stimulated alternately once daily using various unpredictable random methods (fasting, water deprivation, tail clamping, thermal stimulation, tail suspension, reversed light-dark cycle, cold stimulation), with each stimulus applied approximately 4 times on average. The mouse depression model was successfully established after 28 days.
Evaluation indicators: behavioral tests, tissue ELISA, HE staining

Behavioral tests (open field test, forced swimming test, sucrose preference test)

Hippocampal tissue ELISA

HE staining of hippocampal tissue