Evaluation of Antianxiety Effect of Oxytocin in Rats

AIM To evaluate the anti-anxiety effect of oxytocin in male rats using elevated plus maze. MATERIALS AND METHODS18 male rats were randomly allocated into three groups of six animals each. Rats in group 1 served as control and received distilled water intraperitonealy. Group 2 served as standard and received Diazepam 2 mg/kg ip, the 3 rd group received oxytocin 4mcg/kg ip. Each of the eighteen rats is placed individually at the center of elevated plus maze and observed for five minutes. Preference for first entry, number of entries into the open and closed arms and time spent in each arm of the maze will be recorded. One hour after drug administration the experiment is repeated and results tabulated and analyzed using suitable statistical method. RESULTSThe time spent in open arm is increased in oxytocin treated group when compared with control and is comparable to diazepam. CONCLUSIONThe findings in this study suggest that oxytocin possess Antianxiety activity and various studies has shown that oxytocin acts by inhibiting the amygdala through GABA receptors like diazepam. Further studies and researches are needed to optimize the dose and use it as a novel antianxiety agent.