Effects of Intracerebroventricular Injection of Alcoholic Extract of hawthorn (Crataegus melano carpa) Leaves on Fear Behavior in Presence Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in Adult Male Rat

In traditional medicine "Crataegus melanocarpa" is one of the medicinal plants that has many therapeutic effects. One of them is its effect on nerveous system. Evaluation of Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of alcoholic extract of "crataegus melanocarpa" leaves on fear behavior in presence pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in adult male rat. Animals were divided into 3 groups: experimental, saline and, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 20mg/kg as positive control (I.P). In the experimental group, the animals received 4000 μg/Rat alcoholic extract of "Crataegus melanocarpa" leaves (ICV) and PTZ (I.P). Then plus maze was used for evaluation of the fear. Open arm entries percentage (%OAE) and open arm time percentage (%OAT) were evaluated. The results show that intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of alcoholic extract of "Crataegus melanocarpa" leaves increased %OAE and %OAT significantly (p<0.05). We concluded that alcoholic extract of "Crataegus melanocarpa" is effective on fear reduction in presence pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in adult male rat.