Abstract

ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF GABAPENTIN, PREGABALIN, SODIUM VALPROATE AND ALPRAZOLAM IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS - A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Mohan Babu Amberkar, Meena Kumari K*, Lalit Mohan, Nandit PB, Amrutkiran, Shwetha

Abstract

Anxiety is a psychological and physiological disorder. It consists of cognitive, somatic and behavioral components. It is characterized by an unpleasant feeling that is typically associated with uneasiness, fear or worry. The primary objective of the study was to compare anxiolytic activities of sodium valproate, gabapentin, pregabalin and alprazolam in rats. Standard experimental models like elevated plus maze and Open field test were used to assess anxiolytic activity. Total 30 rats divided into five groups and six in each (n=6). Group1 rats received gum acacia 10 ml/kg as control, and Gr. 2, 3, 4, 5 received test drugs, gabapentin 50 mg/kg , pregabalin 1.8 mg/kg , sodium valproate 150 mg/kg, alprazolam 0.08 mg/kg, daily, orally, for 10days respectively. The time spent, number of entries, rears in arms of elevated plus maze and number of entries, time spent in central and peripheral squares in open field test were observed. All test drug treated rats showed significant anxiolytic activity by decreasing the time spent in closed arm and increasing in open arm as compared to control. However, increase or decrease in time spent was not comparable among test drug groups. In open field, time spent by rats treated with alprazolam, sodium valproate, gabapentin, pregabalin was increased in the center but decreased in the periphery as compared to control. Thus alprazolam, sodium valproate, gabapentin, pregabalin were found to produce anti-anxiety in rats compared to control. However, anxiolytic actions were not comparable between test drug treated rats.

Keywords: elevated plus maze, open field test, behavior.