Anxiolytic Effects. Fa Research

The anxiolytic-like effects of FA were investigated by means of behavioral pharmacology for the first time. The other central nervous system effects of FA were also examined.FA (60 mg/kg, ig) significantly increased the percentage of open arm entries in the elevated plus-maze test. FA (60 mg/kg, ig) significantly prolonged the time spent in light area without altering the locomotor activity in the light/dark box test. FA (15,30,60 mg/kg, ig) significantly inhibited stress-induced hyperthermia. FA (30 mg/kg, ig) significantly increased the novel food intake in the novel food consumption test. In the isolation-induced aggression test, FA (30-240mg/kg, ig) reduced the total fighting time between isolated mouse and intruding mouse. In the mouse defensive test battery, FA (240 mg/kg, ig) decreased lines crossing and FA (60,120 mg/kg, ig) decreased the rearings in the pretest significantly; FA decreased the distance and number of avoidance in the predator avoidance test; FA decreased the number of stops, orientations and reversals in the chase/flight test; FA decreased the number of vocals, upright postures and jumps, increased the number of approaches/withdrawals in the straight alley test; FA (240 mg/kg, ig) decreased line crossings and FA (30-240 mg/kg, ig) decreased the rearings in the posttest significantly. In the social interaction test, FA (21,42 mg/kg, ig) significantly increased social interaction time of pairs of rats in the high light, unfamiliar test conditions, FA (42 mg/kg, ig) also significantly increased social interaction time of pairs of rats in the high light, familiar test condition, FA (21 mg/kg, ig) also significantly increased social interaction time of pairs of rats in the low light, unfamiliar test condition. FA 42 mg/kg, ig) significantly increased the anti-thigmotactic effect, time spent in the central arena and rearing duration in the open field test. FA (5.25,10.5,21 mg/kg, ig) significantly decreased the head-dip latency, FA (21 mg/kg, ig) significantly increased the head-dipping duration, FA (42 mg/kg, ig) significantly increased the number of head-dipping in the hole board test. FA (5.25-42 mg/kg, ig) significantly decreased the freezing duration in conditioned fear stress induced-freezing test.FA (180 mg/kg, ig) prolonged pentobarbital sodium-induced sleeping time significantly. FA (30-240 mg/kg, ig) didn't produce influence on learning and memory. FA (30-120 mg/kg, ig) didn't produce influence on locomotor activity. FA (60-540 mg/kg, ig) didn't produce influence on the muscle coordination in traction test and inclined plane test. FA (90-360 mg/kg, ig) didn't have antagonize effect in the GABA_A receptor antagonist picrotoxin-induced convulsion test. This suggests that the anxiolytic-like effect of FA may be different from that of diazepam.In conclusion, these findings indicate that FA exhibits an anxiolytic-like effect at given dosages.