ABSTRACT
Objectives: To investigate the GABAergic and nitriergic mechanism involved in the anxiolytic-like profile of ethanolic extract of garlic (GE).
Materials and Methods: Male swiss albino mice were employed in the present study. Stress was produced in mice by immobilizing them for 6h. Elevated plus maze, light/dark box and social treatment on the biochemical regulation of mice behavior, levels of GABA and plasma nitrite levels were estimated.
Results: The present study showed that the GE produced significant antianxiety- like activity in unstressed and stressed mice. In unstressed mice, GE significantly increased GABA levels, but could not produce any change in nitrite levels. Meanwhile, in stressed mice, GE significantly increased GABA levels along with a significant decrease in nitrite levels. Pre-treatment with aminoguanidine, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, significantly enhanced the anxiolytic-like activity of GE, as compared to GE and aminoguanidine alone in stressed mice, but not in unstressed mice. On the other hand, pretreatment with 7-nitroindazole, a neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, did not produce any significant change in antianxiety- like activity of GE in unstressed as well as stressed mice.
Conclusion: It has been concluded that garlic possess anxiolytic- like activity and possess NOS inhibiting property in stressed mice, which may add to its status to be used in stress-induced anxiety conditions.
Key words: Aminoguanidine, anxiety, GABA, garlic, nitric oxide
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