Study of intracerebroventricular microinjection of kaempferol on anxiety: possible GABAergic mechanism involved

Background and Aim : Kaempferol (KM) is one of the most important plants constituent with neuroprotection and analgesic effects. In this study, intracerebroventricular microinjection of KM on the anxiety and its interaction with GABAergic mechanism has investigated in male rats.Methods : In this experimental study, the male rats were divided to following groups: control (saline), groups treated by KM (0.5 and 2 g/rat), DMSO (1g/rat), KM 0.5+Bicuculline/BIC1 g/rat, KM 0.5+BIC4 g/rat, KM 2+BIC1 g/rat, BIC groups (1, 4 g/rat), and KM 2+BIC 4 g/rat. Besides, elevated plus maze test (EPM) was used for evaluation of the anxiety.Results : Statistical analysis exhibited that time spent in the elevated plus maze open arms in KM groups (0.5 and 2 g/rat) had shown significant difference in comparison to control (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). Moreover, in related to involvement of GABAergic system in anxiolytic like activity of KM, it is demonstrated that the time spent in open arms related to co-administration of KM (0.5g/rat) with bicuculline (1g/rat) significantly was lessen than control group (p<0.05).Conclusion : According to the obtained results, the use of KM is likely can improve anxiety through GABAergic mechanism(s).

Keywords:

Anxiety , Kaempferol , GABAergic mechanism , Bicuculline