Anxiolytic Potency of Cardamonin Mediated through Brain GABAergic System

Anxiety is an ailment causing personal, social and economic burden. Some drugs are available to provide symptomatic assistance for the treatment of anxiety and attempts are being made to find new therapeutic entities and subside associated adverse effects. Approaching natural sources, the current study aims to investigate the anxiolytic effects of cardamonin and its effect on the brain GABAergic system. The anxiolytic effects of various dose of cardamonin were investigated using the elevated plus maze apparatus and possible motor disabilities were evaluated trough open field test. Possible impact on GABAergic system was investigated using the ELISA. Fourteen days treatment with cardamonin (5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice significantly (p < 0.0001) increased and the percentages of open arm entry and open arm time compared to respective vehicle control group. Cardamonin show no influence on gross locomotor movement in open field test. Treatment with cardamonin significantly (p < 0.0001) increased levels of GABA in brain of treated mice compared to control mice. This study provided evidence on the anxiolytic potency of the cardamonin and revealed its action mechanism of regulating the GABA level in mouse brain.