Study of the anxiolytic effect of propranolol and dextromethorphan in mice using a model of psychogenic stress

Objective: To find the anxiolytic effects in a psychogenic stress model in mice, the present study has investigated the interaction between propranolol and dextromethorphan. Methods: 50 Albino Swiss male mice were housed in groups of 10 per cage. The beta-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol (20 mg/kg bw), the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor dextromethorphan (30 mg/kg bw), and their combination were administered 10 minutes after exposure to predator odor. The treatments included diazepam as positive control and normal saline as negative control. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze test (EPM) 7 days after stress induction. Results: Regarding the length of stay (F=25.53; p