EVALUATION OF ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT OF CORIANDRUM SATIVUM IN THE ELEVATED PLUS-MAZE

Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders globally and are linked with significant psychological and social burden. Benzodiazepines are effective anxiolytic agents, but they have a limited duration due to side effects, tolerance and dependence. Coriandrum sativum possesses anxiolytic properties, with several bioactive constituents that might be responsible for this effect, such as linalool, flavonoids and terpenoids. Aim: The anxiolytic activity of the ethanolic extract of C. sativum seeds was assessed in Wistar albino rats in the elevated plus-maze model. Methods: Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6). Group I received normal saline, Group II received diazepam (1mg/kg), Groups III and IV received ethanolic extract of Coriandrum sativum (50mg/kg) and (100mg/kg), respectively, and Group V received ethanolic extract of Coriandrum sativum (200mg/kg). The one-way ANOVA was used to record and analyse the open arm entries and time spent in the open arms. Results and Discussion: The extract was anxiolytic in a dose dependent manner. Results indicated that the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses were significant in increasing the number of entries into the open arms and the time spent in the open arms, compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and had similar effects to diazepam. The anxiolytic activity could be due to the presence of linalool and other related phytoconstituents which interact with the GABAergic system. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of CS seeds has significant anxiolytic activity and could be used as natural therapeutic agent in anxiety disorders.