title: Investigation of the anxiolytic effects of luteolin, a lemon balm flavonoid in the male Sprague-Dawley rat.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anxiolytic effects of luteolin and its potential interaction with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Lemon balm has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy in the treatment of many medical conditions, including anxiety. Luteolin is a major component of the essential oil lemon balm. We divided 55 rats into 5 groups: (1) control (negative control), (2) luteolin, (3) midazolam (positive control), (4) flumazenil and luteolin, and (5) midazolam and luteolin. The behavioral component of anxiety was examined by using the elevated plus-maze (open arm time/total time) and motor movements. Data analyses were performed using a 2-tailed multivariate analysis of variance and Sheffé post hoc test. Our data suggest that luteolin does not produce anxiolysis by modulation of the GABAA receptor; however, luteolin may modulate motor movements and locomotion.
authors.affiliation: US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Raines
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Naomie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Ceremuga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047311:Luteolin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018757:GABA Modulators; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005442:Flumazenil; D047311:Luteolin; D008874:Midazolam