The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in Rats
Anxiety is a chronic severe psychiatric disorder. Crocins are among the various bioactive components of the plant <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. (Iridaceae) and their implication in anxiety is well-documented. However, which is the mechanism of action underlying the anti-anxiety effects of cro...
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/23/5647 |
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| author | Nikolaos Pitsikas Petros A. Tarantilis |
| author_facet | Nikolaos Pitsikas Petros A. Tarantilis |
| author_sort | Nikolaos Pitsikas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Anxiety is a chronic severe psychiatric disorder. Crocins are among the various bioactive components of the plant <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. (Iridaceae) and their implication in anxiety is well-documented. However, which is the mechanism of action underlying the anti-anxiety effects of crocins remains unknown. In this context, it has been suggested that these beneficial effects might be ascribed to the agonistic properties of these bioactive ingredients of saffron on the GABA type A receptor. The current experimentation was undertaken to clarify this issue in the rat. For this research project, the light/dark and the open field tests were used. A single injection of crocins (50 mg/kg, i.p., 60 min before testing) induces an anti-anxiety-like effect revealed either in the light-dark or open field tests. Acute administration of the GABA<sub>A</sub>-benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (10 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min before testing) abolished the above mentioned anxiolytic effects of crocins. The current findings suggest a functional interaction between crocins and the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor allosteric modulator flumazenil on anxiety. |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:26:35Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-cb54dd2675b4478aa170636cf6b9fad72023-11-20T23:00:11ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492020-11-012523564710.3390/molecules25235647The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in RatsNikolaos Pitsikas0Petros A. Tarantilis1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Panepistimiou 3, 415-00 Larissa, GreeceLaboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 118-55 Athens, GreeceAnxiety is a chronic severe psychiatric disorder. Crocins are among the various bioactive components of the plant <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. (Iridaceae) and their implication in anxiety is well-documented. However, which is the mechanism of action underlying the anti-anxiety effects of crocins remains unknown. In this context, it has been suggested that these beneficial effects might be ascribed to the agonistic properties of these bioactive ingredients of saffron on the GABA type A receptor. The current experimentation was undertaken to clarify this issue in the rat. For this research project, the light/dark and the open field tests were used. A single injection of crocins (50 mg/kg, i.p., 60 min before testing) induces an anti-anxiety-like effect revealed either in the light-dark or open field tests. Acute administration of the GABA<sub>A</sub>-benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (10 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min before testing) abolished the above mentioned anxiolytic effects of crocins. The current findings suggest a functional interaction between crocins and the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor allosteric modulator flumazenil on anxiety.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/23/5647crocinsflumazenilanxietyrat |
| spellingShingle | Nikolaos Pitsikas Petros A. Tarantilis The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in Rats Molecules crocins flumazenil anxiety rat |
| title | The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in Rats |
| title_full | The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in Rats |
| title_fullStr | The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in Rats |
| title_full_unstemmed | The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in Rats |
| title_short | The GABA<sub>A</sub>-Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist Flumazenil Abolishes the Anxiolytic Effects of the Active Constituents of <i>Crocus sativus</i> L. Crocins in Rats |
| title_sort | gaba sub a sub benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil abolishes the anxiolytic effects of the active constituents of i crocus sativus i l crocins in rats |
| topic | crocins flumazenil anxiety rat |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/23/5647 |
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