Anti - Anxiety Effect And Mechanism Of Compound Of Saruma Henryi Oliv

Anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of apprehension, tension, or uneasiness, which is increasing recent years in China. Benzodiazepines, as an widely used anxiolytic, have serious adverse effects, such as sedation, tolerance, withdrawn effect and so on. As the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history for the treatment of anxiety and it is well known for little side effect. Therefore, we studied the combined decoction of Valeriana jatamansi Jones which has signifficant anxiolytics in clinical.1. Literature Review:We had reviewed the general situation of anxiolytic Chinese herbs, light-dark box test, elevated plus-maze test and the study of anxiety disorder in traditional Chinese medicine theory.2. Experimental Study:The purpose of this study was to characterize the anxiolytic-like, anticonvulsant, hypnosedative properties of combined decoction composed of Rhizoma et Radix Valerianae Jatamansi, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Cortex Albiziae and Medulia Junci.Male ICR mice were treated combined decoction (1.2 g/kg,2.4 g/kg,4.8 g/kg), saline, the positive controls diazepam (2 mg/kg) orally for 10 days. Combined decoction ai the ratio of 12:9:9:1 (2.4,4.8 g/kg, p.o.) showed significant anxiolytic-like effects in EPM and LDB. When the Valeriana jatamansi Jones was refluxed in aqueous ethanol (35%), mice expressed difference to other methods. The effects of the combined decoction on spontaneous activity were assessed by numbers of spontaneous activities, respectively. However, all groups of decoction didn't reduce numbers of spontaneous activity but diazepam, compared to control group. Moreover, combined decoction also didn't reduce the latent period of convulsion. In addition, the anxiolytic-like effects of combined decoction in the EPM and light-dark box test were blocked by GABA (A) antagonist flumazenil (3mg/kg, i.p.).In conclusion, these results suggest that the combined decoction has anxiolytic effect and acts via the GABA (A) receptors, but didn't present sedative and anticonvulsant effects.