Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIANXIETY EFFECTS OF DEGLYCYRRHINATED LICORICE ON ALBINO RATS

Mangala Srinivas, Sangeeta Nath Sharma and Ravichandra Volabailu*

Abstract

Context: Glycyrrhiza glabra has antidepressant, anti-stress and antianxiolytic potential. It can be hypothesized that Deglycyrrhinated licorice (DGL) to be effective in anxiety too. Aims: To evaluate the anti-anxiety effects of Deglycyrrhinated licorice (DGL) in albino rats and compare the antianxiety activity of DGL against standard drug diazepam (2-3 mg/kg), using animal models Elevated plus maze (EPM) Light and dark arena (LDA) apparatus Settings and Design: Animals were divided into four groups, each consisting six rats. DGL extract, Diazepam and Saline was given to the test groups and after 45 min, animals were exposed to EPM and light–dark test for normal duration (5 min), sufficient to assess the anxiety levels in rodents. Statistical analysis used: One-way ANOVA. Results: In EPM and Light & dark study DGL 1 group showed antianxiety effect compared to control group, but antianxiety effect is inferior to diazepam group and DGL 2 group possessed very mild insignificant antianxiety effect, which is inferior to both diazepam group and DGL 1 group. Conclusions: Deglycyrrhinated licorice possesses antianxiety effect but inferior to Diazepam and therefore can be used as add on therapy.

Keywords: Anti-anxiety, Deglycyrrhinated licorice, Diazepam, Elevated plus maze, Light and dark arena, anxiety.