Comparison of Anxiolytic Effect of Matricaria Recutita in Male and Female Mice in the Presence and Absence of Gonads

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Background: Some studies indicated that the chamomile induces sedative and anxiolytic effects. It has been shown that this herbal drug contains some phytoestrogenic components. Concerning the different effects of sexual hormones on various physiological phenomena such as anxiety, it seems this herb has different effects on anxiety in males and females. So in this study we examined anxiolytic property of Iranian spicious of chamomile, Matricaria recutita (MR) hydroalcholic extract in presence and absence of sexual glands in male and female animal models. 

Materials and Methods: This animal study was done in ShahidChamranUniversity in 2006. NMRI male and female mice were divided in 16 groups of seven mices including: intact, sham, gonadectomized, receiving hydroalcholic extract of MR (10, 30, 50 mg/kg, ip). Elevated plus maze was used to evaluate anxiety and locomotive activity in all groups. Statistical evaluation of data was performed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with one factor followed by Tukey test. P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: MR induced anxiolytic effect (10, 30 mg/kg) in intact (P<0.05) and gonadectomized male mice (P<0.05) while did not significant any effect on intact and gonadectomized females. Testectomized mice were more anxious than sham group (P<0.05). Ovariectomized mice had no difference in level of anxiety with sham group. MR had no effect on locomotive activity in male mice but decreased it in females only in dose of 50 mg/kg (P<0.05).

Conclusion: It seems that the anxiolytic effect of MR is sex dependent and probably this different effect in two sexes is related to its phytoestrogenic components.