Journal of

Introduction: Decarboxylated phytocannabinoids activates CB₁ receptors of endocannabinoid system in the central nervous system. Endocannabinoid system interacts with dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems, which seems to be effective on the behavior processes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic and hexanic extract of heated female Cannabis sativa flowertops containing decarboxylated cannabinoids on anxiety, motor coordination and locomotor activity.

Methods: In this experimental study, adult male Wistar rats were randomly (200 to 250 g) used in two groups(n=7) of control and sham (administration of the solution vehicle (Tween 80, ethanol and saline with 1:1:8 proportions). IP administration of hydroalcoholic extract (50mg/kg dosage), and hexanic extract (50mg/kg dosage) were applied. The elevated plus maze, open field and rotarod apparatus were used in order to measure the anxiety, locomotor activity and motor coordination in each group, respectively. Moreover, the data analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA and Neumann-keuls post-hoc test.

Results: The study results indicated that IP administration of hexanic extract (50mg/kg dosage) significantly reduced the numbers of entries into the open arms (P<0.05) as well as time of stay in the open arms (P<0.01) in evaluated plus maze. Furthermore, motor activity (P <0.01) and time coordination (P <0.001) were reported to significantly reduce.

Conclusion: The study findings revealed thst administration of hexanic extract has probably more decarboxylated cannabinoids than hydroalcoholic extract resulting in a decrease in the motor activity and time of motor coordination, yet an increase in anxiety via activation of CB₁ receptors.