Evaluation of antianxiety and sedative effects of essential oil of Ducrosia anethifolia in mice

We investigated the antianxiety and sedative effects of the essential oil of Ducrosia anethifolia. Boiss. (Apiaceae). We used elevated plus maze, spontaneous motor activity and ketamine-induced sleep tests in mice. In addition, the essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty compounds were identified, and n-decanal (70.1%) and alpha-pinene (12.4%) constituted the major components. In elevated plus maze, Ducrosia anethifolia essential oil at doses of 25–200 mg/kg increased the percentage of open arm time and entries. Unlike diazepam, ducrosia anethifolia essential oil could not suppress spontaneous motor activity and did not alter ketamine-induced sleep parameters. These results are indicative of antianxiety effect of Ducrosia anethifolia essential oil without sedative effect.