Anxiolytic effects of the aqueous extracts of spinach leaves in mice

Previous studies have shown the effect of antioxidant properties of spinach on delaying the aging process of CNS and age related cognitive function and some neurodegenerative diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of different doses of aqueous extracts of spinach leaves. This study included fifty male mice (Wt: 25-30 g) which were divided into three experimental and two control groups. Different doses of the spinach extract powder (0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 g/mice) were given to the experimental groups for one month. Also, one of the control groups received water and the other one sucrose 3% (w/v) for one month. In order to increase the activity and curiosity of the mice, they were put inside a box with black walls for five minutes. Then the animals were transferred to the elevated plus maze in regular time intervals and evaluated for standard indexes of anxiety reaction for five minutes. The results of this study showed that percentage of open time was significantly increased in doses of 0.10 and 0.15, and the number of open arm entries was more with a dose of 0.15 g of spinach extract in comparison to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were found in the total number of arm entries between the groups. In comparison to the control group, the number of SAP was significantly reduced with doses of 0.10 and 0.15 g of spinach extract in the experimental group (P<0.05). It is concluded that higher doses of aqueous extract of spinach can decrease anxiety.