The effect of herniarin on anxiety ‎behaviors and depression following ‎chronic cerebral ischemia ‎hypoperfusion in male rats

Ischemia in rat brain causes severe neuronal damage and consequently anxiety and depression disorders. The herniarin has a phenolic compound and is a powerful antioxidant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of herniarin on anxiety and depression in ischemia model in male rats. In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats(200-250g) were divided into 5 groups: control group, sham and ischemic group and ischemic groups receiving doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg herniarin by gavage method. To induce ischemia, bilateral carotid arteries were separated, blocked in two, and cut off in the middle section. Anxiety assessment was performed during the open-box test. Immobility time in forced swimming was also measured to measure depression. In the ischemic rats a significantly increased anxiety and an increase of   mobility   duration in both open box and forced swimming tests were observed (P<0.001). When the doses of 150-300 mg/kg herniarin was prescribed the times of elevation of hands was increased (P<0.001) and a significantly reduction of excretion times in each dose was observed (P<0.001) and consumption of herniarin doses 150-300 mg/kg was significantly increased in the ischemicrats when they passed several times through squares in the open box (P<0.001). herniarin has the effect of both anti-anxiety and- depression in the experimental model.