Anxiolytic-Like Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cynara Scolymus L. in Male Mice: An Experimental Study

Anxiety is one of the common psychological disorders in humans. Medicinal plants are used in the treatment of anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anxiolytic-like effect of Cynara scolymus in male mice.

In this experimental study, 30 male mice weighing 25-30 g were divided into 5 groups of 6 including Group 1 (control), Group 2 to 4 (receiving hydroalcoholic extract of Cynara scolymus with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and Group 5 (receiving diazepam with a dose of 2 mg/kg). To evaluate anxiolytic activity, Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) test was used 30 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of the drugs. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of extract was determined by spectrophotometric method. Also, the antioxidant effect of the extract was assessed using inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests.

Cynara scolymus (200 and 400 mg/kg) and diazepam (2 mg/kg) significantly led to anxiolytic effect compared to the control group (p>0.05). Total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract were 59.49±5.57 mgGAE/g extract and 93.39±17.16 mgRE/g extract, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extract was 161.32±0.03 µg/ml.

The resutls of the present study suggested that Cynara scolymus has anxiolytic-like effect, and it appears that Cynara scolymus can be used to control anxiety.