Anxiolytic activity of Coriandrum sativum seeds aqueous extract on chronic restraint stressed mice and effect on brain neurotransmitters

[Display omitted] •CSE revealed presense of flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, and tannins.•CSE exhibited anxiolytic behavior in restraint stressed mice model.•CSE restored monoamine levels in different regions of brain.•CSE restored GABA and glutamate levels in different regions of brain. Medicinal properties of Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) are well documented. Its central nervous system related activities are mentioned in Iranian traditional medicine. However, studies evaluating its anxiolytic properties and the underlying mechanisms are lacking. We investigate anxiolytic activity of C. sativum L. seeds aqueous extract (CSE) induced by chronic restraint stress and its effect on the neurotransmitter system. The phytoconstituents were extracted using soxhlet apparatus and identified using LC-MS. The mice were orally administered with the standard drug diazepam/CSE daily and exposed to restraint stress for two weeks. Anxiolytic activity was assessed using elevated plus maze and light/dark transition test models on day 1 and 16. On the 16th day, brain regions were quantitatively assessed for neurotransmitters. CSE treatment improved exploratory activity in the animal models of anxiety, and restored monoamines and GABA levels to the respective baseline levels. Moreover, CSE reduced excitotoxic levels of glutamate in the hippocampus region.