Salvıa Heldreıchıana’nın (Ayaklı Şalba Ada Çayı) Tek ve Tekrarlayan Dozda Sıçanlar Üzerindeki Anksiyolitik Etkisi

Abstract

There is a need for treatment options with a rapid onset of action and fewer side effects that can be used in the acute treatment of anxiety disorders. To meet this need, the anxiolytic-like effect of Salvia heldreichiana, which is endemic in Turkey, was investigated in our study. The plant's essential oil on anxiety-like behavior in rats at short exposure times was studied. The essential oil was compared with diazepam, whose anxiolytic effect is well known. A total of 48 Wistar albino male rats were used. In Study 1, Salvia heldreichiana essential oil was applied once by oral gavage at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day (single dose). In Study 2, the same dose was administered for five consecutive days (repeated doses). Then anxiety-like behaviors of the animals were evaluated with the open field test and the elevated plus maze test. The possible sedative effect of essential oil and the effect of essential oil on motor activity were investigated with the rotarod test. The underlying mechanism of the possible anxiolytic-like effect was investigated by examining the hippocampal noradrenaline, serotonin, gamma amino butyric acid levels, and serum cortisol levels. Finally, essential oil's hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects were evaluated with some liver and kidney function test parameters. Salvia heldreichiana essential oil did not reduce anxiety-like behavior in open field and elevated plus maze tests. However, diazepam also did not show a significant effect on anxiety-like behaviors. Both Salvia heldreichiana essential oil and diazepam reduced serum cortisol levels. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the anxiolytic-like effect of Salvia heldreichiana. Salvia heldreichiana essential oil reduced serum cortisol levels, similar to diazepam, which indicates its anxiolytic-like effect. In addition, a tendency to increase hippocampal serotonin levels was observed. Evaluation of the anxiolytic-like effect of Salvia heldreichiana essential oil with different doses and conditional anxiety models may yield more precise results. Salvia heldreichiana essential oil at a 200 mg/kg/day dose did not show nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects in the investigated parameters.