Preclinical Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Effects of Pimpinella anisum Seed Extract in a Rat Model of Anxiety
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v12i3.2190Keywords:
Anxiety, Pimpinella anisum, Anxiolytic Agents, Elevated Plus Maze Test, Diazepam, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Serotonin, Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the anxiolytic effects of Pimpinella anisum extract with diazepam in a rat model of anxiety induced by caffeine and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).
Method: A total of 36 rats were randomly divided into six groups, including control, induced anxiety, diazepam-treated, and three plant-treated groups receiving different doses of Pimpinella anisum extract (250, 350, and 500 mg/kg). Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the Elevated plus Maze, light/dark exploration and Open Field Test. Additionally, brain tissue biomarkers including serotonin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, total antioxidant capacity, and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 were assessed in brain tissue using ELISA techniques.
Results: The Pimpinella anisum extract treated groups exhibited results comparable to those of diazepam with a significant increase in time spent in the open arms, center of field and light chamber as compared to corresponding control group(P<0.05) . Additionally, all tested doses of extract treatment also showed comparable results to those of diazepam. Pimpinella anisum extract showed a dose-dependent effects, with higher doses approaching the efficacy of diazepam, the findings were significant (p<0.05) for the 250mg/kg and 350mg/kg in most behavioral tests and biomarkers levels in brain tissue, for the 500mg/kg the results were significant (p<0.05) in most behavioral tests and biomarkers levels in brain tissue.
Conclusion: Pimpinella anisum showed anxiolytic effects with significant modulation in the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant biomarkers, neurotransmitter levels and behavioral assessment tests in a comparable manner to diazepam. In addition Pimpinella anisum extract anti-oxidant potential evidenced through the levels of NRF2 and total anti-oxidant capacity.
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