Journal of

Introduction: Anxiety is a common psychiatric disorder affecting many people in the society. Glycyrriza glabra is a herbal medicine, which carries a lot of traditional effects, this plant contains antioxidants and phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant sterols that are similar to estrogen in structure and function. The purpose of this study was to dinvestigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrriza glabra root on anxiety in gonadectomized male rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male rats with an average weight of 230-250g were used in the study. Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. These groups included: healthy treatment group with saline , gonadectomized  group with no treatment, gonadectomized group with treatment of saline or solvent extract (0.5 cc) and gonadectomized group with treatment doses of 2, 5 & 15 mg/kg Glycyrriza glabra root extract intraperitoneally (n=8). In a surgery, the testicles were removed. 30 minutes after injection. The Data were analyzed by one way variance analysis and Tukey’s test using SPSS (p<0.05).

Results: Anxiety was significantly increased in gonadectomy rats (P<0.001) when compared with the normal ones. At doses of 5 and 15 mg/kg/bw of hydro-alcholic extract of Glycyrriza glabra root, the time spent in open arms of maze were significantly increased and the time spent in maze close arms were decreased in compared to controls (P<0.05). None of the doses showed any significant effect on locomotor activites.

Conclusion: Hydro-alcholic extract of Glycyrriza glabra root in rats not gonadectomized and Gonadectomy serve to reduce anxiety.