Anxiolytic-like effects of extracts from Albizzia julibrissin bark in the elevated plus-maze in rats

The purpose of the this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of the aqueous extract of Albizzia julibrissin stem bark using the elevated plus maze (EPM) in rats. The water extract of Albizzia julibrissin was orally administered at 10, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg to adult male SD rats, 1 h before behavioral evaluation in an EPM, respectively. Control rats were treated with an equal volume of saline, and positive control rats buspirone (1 mg/kg). Single or repeated treatment (for 7 days) of the water extract of Albizzia julibrissin (at 100 or 200 mg/kg) significantly increased time-spent and arm entries into the open arms of the EPM, and decreased time-spent and arm entries in the closed arms of the EPM versus saline controls (P < 0.05). However, no changes in the locomotor activity and myorelaxant effect were seen in any group versus the saline control. In addition, the anxiolytic-like effects of Albizzia julibrissin extract were abolished by pindolol (10 mg/kg, i.p), a 5-HT_1A/1B receptor antagonist. These results suggest that Albizzia julibrissin might proved to be an effective anxiolytic agent, and that it acts via the serotonergic nervous system.