Title: Anxiolytic activity of aqueous extractof Camellia sinensis in rats
Abstract: Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate anxiolytic effect of Camellia sinensis (CS) and possible
mechanism on acute and chronic administration in rats.
Materials and Methods: Eight groups of rats with six in each group were used. Group I served as control.
Group II received diazepam (1 mg/kg). Groups III, IV, and V received CS in doses of 3.3, 16.5, and 33 mg/kg,
respectively. Three pharmacologically validated experimental models – elevated plus maze (EPM), light and dark
box (LDB), and open field tests (OFT) – were employed. Each animal was tested initially in the EPM and then in
the LDB, followed by the OFT in a single setting. In EMP, number of entries into, time spent in, and number of
rears in each arm in a 5‑min period were noted. In LDB, number of entries and time spent in bright arena, number
of rears, and duration of immobility were noted. In OFT, number of peripheral and central squares crossed, time
spent, and number of rears in central squares were observed for a 5‑min period. One‑way ANOVA followed by
post hoc least significant difference test was performed.
Results: In EPM and LDB, CS at 3.3, 16.5, and 33 mg/kg (acute and chronic models) increased the number
of entries and time spent and rearing in the open arms and bright arena, respectively, compared to control.
In the OFT, CS at 16.5 and 33 mg/kg significantly increased the number of squares crossed, time spent, and
the number of rears in the central squares compared to control. Anxiolytic effect was dose dependent in EPM
and LDB and CS at 33 mg/kg showed better anxiolytic activity compared to diazepam (1 mg/kg) in all models.
Flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg) and bicuculline (1 mg/kg) completely inhibited while picrotoxin (1 mg/kg) partially inhibited
the anxiolytic effect of CS. Diazepam and CS at 33 mg/kg reduced the locomotor activity in rats.
Conclusion: CS has dose‑dependent anxiolytic activity which is comparable to diazepam. Anxiolytic action of
CS is likely mediated through GABAA‑benzodiazepine receptor – Cl − channel complex – since flumazenil and
bicuculline inhibited the anxiolytic effect.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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