Antianxiety activity of NR-ANX-C, a polyherbal preparation in rats

Objective: To study the anxiolytic-like activity of NR-ANX-C, a polyherbal product, in rats Materials and Methods : Inbred, male, Wistar albino rats weighing between 150 and 180 g were used. The standard anxiolytic, diazepam (0.5 mg and 1 mg/kg), and the test drug, NR-ANX-C powder (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg), were dissolved/suspended in 1% gum acacia solution and administered orally. In acute study the vehicle and the drugs were given sixty minutes prior to the experiment, while in the chronic study they were given twice daily for 10 days with the last dose one hour prior to the experiments (elevated plus maze and light and dark box). Results: Acute (10 and 20 mg/kg) as well as chronic administration (5,10 and 20 mg/kg) of NR-ANX-C increased the number of entries, the time spent, and the rears in open arms of elevated plus maze model. Similarly, in light/dark box paradigm, at higher doses the test drug increased the time spent (10 and 20 mg/kg) and the number of rears (20 mg/kg) and decreased the duration of immobility (20 mg/kg). On the other hand, chronic administration of all the doses (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg), of the test compound increased the time spent and the number of rears in bright chamber and decreased the duration of immobility. At lower doses (5 and 10 mg/kg), the test compound increased the number of entries into bright chamber. Locomotor activity in the open field test was not affected at all by the doses tested in acute study. On repeated administration, however, the test drug increased the locomotor activity. These changes are similar to those induced by the standard anxiolytic diazepam. Conclusion: NR-ANX-C exhibited anxiolytic-like activity comparable to that of diazepam.