to extrapolation of primary absorbed compounds as multifunctional proxies of Zhiqiao ()-Houpo () herb pair.

OBJECTIVE: ) (FM), along with elucidating their underlying mechanisms. METHODS: contribution (dose = FM content). Functional magnetic resonance imaging analyzed brain regions's blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) changes, and the molecular mechanisms were analyzed by transcriptome of the dentate gyrus (DG). RESULTS: ) (FRA) reduced acute stress-induced hyperactivation of the cingulate cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, and entorhinal cortex and elevated BOLD signaling in the insular cortex, temporal association cortex. Furthermore, FRA upregulated pathways of neurotransmitter receptor activity and serotonergic synaptic function and downregulated inflammation-related pathways at the genetic level. CONCLUSION: 2ACs and 3ACs closely reflected FM's multifunctional effect in antidepressant and prokinetic. FRA restores stress-impaired neural connectivity in functional brain regions and improves synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis at the genetic level.