The anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Stachys lavandulifolia in the pentylenetetrazol kindled rat

Background and Aim : Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder disease, and its effect on behavioral statuses like anxiety and depression. In this study, the medicinal plant Stachys lavandulifolia, was used to evaluate its effect on anxiety and depression caused by PTZ in the rat.Methods : Twenty-four rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups: control negative under treatment with PTZ (sub-threshold dose 35 mg/kg for one month), control positive under treatment with Phenobarbital (PB-30 mg/kg), and two PTZ groups under treatment with S. lavandulifolia extract (SLE-25, and -50 mg/kg). For anxiety parameters, the elevated plus maze (EPM) was used. The forced swim tests (FST) was employed to assess the antidepressant potential. Data were analyzed using SPSS.Results : SLE administered at the doses of 25, and 50 mg/kg, ip reduced immobility time in the FST exerting antidepressant-like activity. In the EPM test, SLE at the same doses, produced the anxiolytic-like effect.Conclusion : Our results showed that SLE could prevent anxiety and depression in the PTZ-kindled rats.

Keywords:

Stachys lavandulifolia , Epilepsy , Anxiety , Depression , Elevated plus maze