ASSESSMENT OF ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT OF HANGE-KOBOKU-TO WITH ELEVATED PLUS-MAZE TEST IN MICE

The anxiolytic effect of Hange-Koboku-To in mice was assessed with the elevated plus-maze test. The mice given Hange-Koboku-To (0 : distilled water, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg p.o., daily for 7 days) showed a slight but significant increase in staying time in open arms'' when the behavioral test was carried out on the day after the final administration. Diazepam (0.5 and 1 mg/kg s.c.), a benzodiazepine anxiolytic, dose-dependently increased the staying time in ''open arms'', and the effect was enhanced by Hange-Koboku-To. However, the ambulatory activity of mice was not affected by any treatments with these drugs. The present results suggest that Hange-Koboku-To not only has a weak anxiolytic effect, but also enhances the anxiolytic effect of diazepam.