title: Evaluation of anxiolytic effects of aripiprazole and hydroxyzine as a combination in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anxiety disorders are chronic, common, and often comorbid. There is an unmet need in its treatment. Aripiprazole and hydroxyzine are well-known therapeutic options used as monotherapy in clinics. They have different mechanisms and site of actions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of aripiprazole and hydroxyzine in combination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Swiss albino mice (male) received treatment of 5% of Tween 80 in 0.9% saline (10 ml/kg; control group), "aripiprazole alone" (1 mg/kg), "hydroxyzine alone" (3 mg/kg), and aripiprazole (0.5 mg/kg) + hydroxyzine (1.5 mg/kg) through the intraperitoneal route.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thein vivooutcomes (elevated plus maze, light/dark transition, and marble burying tests) of hydroxyzine monotherapy-treated group showed a significant anxiolytic activity. The combination-treated group was found to be better than control and aripiprazole-treated groups. The combination-treated group showed a significant increase in the level of serotonin in different brain regions as compared to aripiprazole-treated group but not better than the hydroxyzine group. Thein vitroresults were in compliance with thein vivoresults. The combinational approach was found to be beneficial in anxiolytic treatment as compared to aripiprazole monotherapy. However, hydroxyzine showed better anxiolytic activity when compared to control, aripiprazole monotherapy, and combination groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anxiolytic effect of combination-treated group was found to be better than aripiprazole monotherapy and lesser than hydroxyzine monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Nikita Shekhar
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Sawantdesai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Pravin Popatrao
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, SPP School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, NMIMS University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savai
keywords: Anxiety; brain monoamines; cerebral cortex; hippocampus