Anxiolytic-like effects of alverine citrate in experimental mouse models of anxiety

Anxiety disorders are widely spread psychiatric illnesses that are a cause of major concern. Despite a consistent increase in anxiolytics, the prevalence of anxiety is static; this necessitates the development of new compounds with potential activity and minimum unwanted effects. A serotonergic (5HT) system plays an important role in pathogenesis of anxiety and predominantly involves 5HT(1A) receptor action in mediating anxiety-like behavior; the antagonism of 5HT(1A) receptor has demonstrated to produce anxiolytic-like effects. Alverine citrate (AVC) is reported as a 5HT(1A) antagonist; however, its effects on anxiety-like behavior are not investigated. Thus, the present study, by utilizing a neurobehavioral approach, examined the anxiolytic-like effects of AVC in experimental mouse models of anxiety. Mice were acutely treated with AVC (5-20 mg/kg, i.p.)/diazepam (DIA, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to four validated anxiety models viz, elevated plus-maze (EPM), light/dark (L/D), hole-board (HB) and marble burying (MB) tests. AVC (15-20 mg/kg) and DlA significantly increased open arm activity in EPM, exploration in light chamber in LID test, exploratory behavior in HB and reduced MB behavior in marble burying test. AVC (5 mg/kg) had no effect on all behavioral tests, while AVC (10 mg/kg) produced partial effects It revealed anxiolytic-like effects of AVC. Furthermore, anxiolytic-like effects of AVC at higher doses (15-20 mg/kg) were more pronounced than lower doses (10 mg/kg) and were quite similar to the standard drug DIA. The present finding demonstrates, for the first time, the anxiolytic-like effects of AVC, which may be an alternative approach for management of anxiety-related disorders. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.