Effect of hydro-alcholic extract of Pimpinella anisum seed on anxiety in male rat

Anxiety is a common psychological disorder. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcholic extract of Pimpinella anisum seed on anxiety in male rat. In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats, randomly allocated into six groups including: negative control group (no injection), positive control (saline) and experimental groups (receiving doses 100, 200, 250, 300 mg/kg/bw of hydro-alcholic extract of Pimpinella anisum seed, intraperitoneally). Indices of anxiety including time spent in open arms and number of open arm entries were evaluated using elevated plus maze, 30 minutes after injection. At doses of 250 and 300 mg/kg/bw of hydro-alcholic extract of Pimpinella anisum seed, the time spent in open arms of maze were significantly increased and the time spent in maze close arms were decreased in compared to controls (P<0.05). At dose of 300 mg/kg/bw of Pimpinella anisum seed extract, number of open arm entries increased in compared to control group (P<0.05). None of the doses showed any significant effect on locomotor activites. Hydro-alcholic extract of Pimpinella anisum seed with dosage of 250 and 300 mg/kg/bw reduces anxiety in male rats.