Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of cinnamomum zeylanicum on mood in mice

Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are among the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide. Existing drug therapies have various side effects on the central nervous system. Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a dietary additive and studies have shown that it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective effects. Also, in traditional medicine, the sedative properties of cinnamon against anxiety and obsession have been mentioned. Therefore in this study, the effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum on mood in mice was investigated.

In this experimental study, 144 mice weighing 32±4g were divided in two anxiety (Five groups including control, diazepam 2 mg/kg, and three groups of Cinnamomum hydroalcoholic extract 100,200,400 mg/kg, in each test of the elevated plus-maze and Vogelchr('39')s conflict tests) and depression (Four groups including control and three groups of cinnamon hydroalcoholic extract 100,200,400 mg/kg, in each test of the forced swimming test and tail suspension tests) protocols. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test. P <0.05 were considered significant.

In the anxiety protocol, the results of the elevated plus-maze test showed that the Cinnamomum hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly (P <0.01, P <0.001) reduced anxiety. In the depression protocol, the results of the forced swimming test and tail suspension test showed that the Cinnamomum hydroalcoholic extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg was significantly (P <0.05) increased swimming time and mobility compared to the control group.

The results of this study showed that the Cinnamomum hydroalcoholic extract reduced anxiety, increased mobility, and finally mood in mice.