<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<bold>Objective:</bold> To find the anxiolytic effects in a psychogenic stress model in mice, the present study has investigated the interaction between propranolol and dextromethorphan.
<bold>Methods:</bold> 50 Albino Swiss male mice were housed in groups of 10 per cage. The beta-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol (20 mg/kg bw), the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor dextromethorphan (30 mg/kg bw), and their combination were administered 10 minutes after exposure to predator odor. The treatments included diazepam as positive control and normal saline as negative control. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze test (EPM) 7 days after stress induction.
<bold>Results:</bold> Regarding the length of stay (F=25.53; p&lt;0.0001)/number of entries in the open arms (F=3.533; p=0.0416), time (F=6.127; p=0.0045)/number of entries in the closed arms (F=5.690; p=0.0141), time in center-point (F=3.577; p=0,0295), and total distance traveled (F= 4.711; p=0.0145), there was a significant difference among the treated groups. Propranolol and dextromethorphan treated groups expressed lower time in the closed arms vs Placebo (p=0.0089, respectively p=0.0111). In addition, the time spent in the open arms was higher in propranolol group vs placebo group (p=0.0215).
<bold>Conclusions:</bold> Considering obtained data, there was a decrease of symptoms in the sympathetic nervous system and the psychological stress disappeared in mice applying a treatment of 20 mg/kg bw propranolol. Our findings indicated that dextromethorphan partially mediated the anxiolytic-like activity. However, the combination of these two drugs did not express anxiolytic effects.
</abstract>

Objective: To find the anxiolytic effects in a psychogenic stress model in mice, the present study has investigated the interaction between propranolol and dextromethorphan.
Methods: 50 Albino Swiss male mice were housed in groups of 10 per cage. The beta-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol (20 mg/kg bw), the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor dextromethorphan (30 mg/kg bw), and their combination were administered 10 minutes after exposure to predator odor. The treatments included diazepam as positive control and normal saline as negative control. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze test (EPM) 7 days after stress induction.
Results: Regarding the length of stay (F=25.53; p<0.0001)/number of entries in the open arms (F=3.533; p=0.0416), time (F=6.127; p=0.0045)/number of entries in the closed arms (F=5.690; p=0.0141), time in center-point (F=3.577; p=0,0295), and total distance traveled (F= 4.711; p=0.0145), there was a significant difference among the treated groups. Propranolol and dextromethorphan treated groups expressed lower time in the closed arms vs Placebo (p=0.0089, respectively p=0.0111). In addition, the time spent in the open arms was higher in propranolol group vs placebo group (p=0.0215).
Conclusions: Considering obtained data, there was a decrease of symptoms in the sympathetic nervous system and the psychological stress disappeared in mice applying a treatment of 20 mg/kg bw propranolol. Our findings indicated that dextromethorphan partially mediated the anxiolytic-like activity. However, the combination of these two drugs did not express anxiolytic effects.

Study of the anxiolytic effect of propranolol and dextromethorphan in mice using a model of psychogenic stress

George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy

Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Objective: To find the anxiolytic effects in a psychogenic stress model in mice, the present study has investigated the interaction between propranolol and...

Study of the anxiolytic effect of propranolol and dextromethorphan in mice using a model of psychogenic stress

Article Category: RESEARCH ARTICLE

Published Online: Dec 30, 2021

Page range: 238 - 243

Received: Oct 13, 2021

Accepted: Oct 23, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2021-0034

Keywords
elevated plus maze, anxiety, predator odor, psychogenic stress

© 2021 Radion Garaz et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Study of the anxiolytic effect of propranolol and dextromethorphan in mice using a model of psychogenic stress

Article Category: RESEARCH ARTICLE

Published Online: Dec 30, 2021

Page range: 238 - 243

Received: Oct 13, 2021

Accepted: Oct 23, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amma-2021-0034

Keywordselevated plus maze, anxiety, predator odor, psychogenic stress

© 2021 Radion Garaz et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
elevated plus maze, anxiety, predator odor, psychogenic stress