Effect of diet containing Zataria multiflora leaves on anxiety behavior in rats

Anxiety disorders are a major problem for humanity. Research continues to find effective drugs with lower side effects. Thyme is one of the medicinal plants that may have many therapeutic effects including anti-anxiety effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss) on anxiety. In the present experimental study, forty male adult Wistar rats with an average weight of 180-220 gr were randomly divided into five groups, including a control group, group treated with diazepam and three treated groups which received diet containing thyme for periods of two, three and four weeks respectively. To measure the Anxiety Standard Model of Anxiety (EZM) was used. After completion of behavioral testing, the serum cortisol concentration was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. The results indicated that the diet containing 10% thyme had significantly increased the presence of the animal in the open arms of maze compared to the control group (P <0.01) and also a decrease was observed in the assessment of cortisol hormone compared to the control group(p <0.05). The findings of this study showed that diet containing thyme was effective in reducing anxiety reactions in rats.