The Effects of Ginger Extract and Diazepam on Anxiety Reduction in Animal Model

Abstract

Objective: Anxiety disorders are from common disorders of human. Drug treatments have side effects, and searching new ways with fewer side effects is inevitable. Ginger is a medicinal plant with many therapeutic effects. Methods: In current study the effects of ginger extract and diazepam on anxiety reduction of laboratory mice were investigated. Sixty female mice (25-30g) were divided into six groups including control, anxiety, diazepam and 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg extract doses. After receiving the last dose, all groups except control group were placed in dark box to enforce anxiety. Next, anxiety evaluation test was carried out using plus elevated maze. The number of open and close arms were considered as anxiety indices. Results: According to results, ginger extract reduced anxiety in all doses in proportion to control and diazepam groups. Also, movement activity was increased in 200 mg/kg dose significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, ginger extract in 200 mg/kg dose can be an appropriate replacement for diazepam to reduce anxiety symptoms.

Effects of oral administration of an aqueous ginger extract on anxiety behavior and tryptophan and serotonin metabolism in the rat

“…3 Ginger extract was as effective as diazepam in reducing anxiety. 4 and its pattern of behavior in the forced swimming test resemble that of serotonergic antidepressants. 5 The bioflavonoid quercetin is abundant in Ginger.…”

“…The present behavioral findings in rats with the ginger extract demonstrating its anxiolytic-like effect in the elevated plus maze test (Table 3) confirm previous observations in mice. 4 Our studies are concerned mainly with the role of the serotonin system in anxiety and also in depression. That serotonin plays an important role in anxiety-related behavior and in the mechanisms of action of anxiolytics is well documented, 9 see also references cited therein, with serotonin receptors playing differential roles.…”

Preventive Effects of Ginger Extract and Nigella sativa Oil on Anxiety and Depression Behavior in Wistar Rats Exposed to Mercuric Chloride

“…Accordingto Perveenetal., (2009) Nigella sativa increases the level of 5-HT and thus decrease anxiety. Thymoquinone in Nigella sativa might also decrease nitric oxide and reverse decreased brain GABA content and give anxiolytic effect [18] Several studies indicate that anxiety and depressive disorders are not heterogeneous disorders, but rather share many common symptoms and pathogenic mechanisms [19] Also, a number of studies have evaluated the effects of inorganic mercury in the central nervous system and reported the presence of behavioral dysfunctions, in particular the anxiety and depression [20,21] In the current study, the forced swimming test (FST) indicates depressive behavior in rats treated with mercuric chloride. Pre-treatment with ginger extract and Nigella sativa alone and in combination enhanced swimming time, thereby reducing the immobility time in rats in FST, indicating antidepressant-like activity of this antioxidants.…”

Pharmacological Uses and Health Benefits of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Traditional Asian and Ancient Chinese Medicine, and Modern Practice

“…Ginger extract can remove disorders caused by oxidative stresses as a strong anti-oxidant. Studies have shown that extant phenolic compounds and anthocyanins including gingerols and the sugevals had many neuro protective effects such as analgesic effects, memory improvement, and learning caused by the aging process (Fadaki et al, 2017). For culinary purposes ginger is suitable for all dished both sweet such as drinks, puddings, apple pie, cakes, breads, candies, etc; and savoury such as soups, sauces, stews, savory puddings, grills, roasts, etc) (Oludoyin and Adegoke, 2014).…”