Effect of Xiaoyaosan on Changes of Behavior in Chronic Immobilization Stress Rats

Abstract

To study the effect of Xiaoyaosan on changes of behaviors (the open field test, elevated plus maze test and Y-maze test) in chronic immobilization stress (CIS) rats. Methods: 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and Xiaoyaosan group. CIS was used to induce stress in rats of model group and Xiaoyaosan group, 3 h a day for 21 days. Xiaoyaosan was administered from the first day to the 21st day 1h before the immobilization in Xiaoyaosan group. Rats were tested in the open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) at the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st day, and Y-maze at the 21st day. The behavioral changes of rats were observed. Results: The time in central zone of model group was longer than that of control and Xiaoyaosan group, there was significantly difference at the day of 1st, 7th, 21st (P<0.01). During the restraint period, the percentage of open arm entries of model group was decreased more obviously, but no significant difference was found at the 21st day. At the 21st day in Y-maze test, error numbers and total reaction time of the rats in control group were higher but the correct response rate was lower than model group and Xiaoyaosan group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Xiaoyaosan relieved the behavioral changes of CIS rats, including the activity, reaction ability, anxiety, cognition, learning and memory and so on.