Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: The anxiolytic effects of the saponins from Panax quinquefolium L. (PQS) in socially isolated mice were investigated. The elevated plus-maze test, the light/dark test, the hole-board test and the isolation-induced aggression test were used to determine the anxiolytic effects of PQS in socially isolated mice. PQS significantly inhibited the decrease of the percentage of time spent in open arms by socially isolated mice in the elevated plus maze test and inhibited the decrease in the time spent in the light area of the light/dark box by socially isolated mice. In the hole-board test, PQS significantly increased both the head-dip counts and head-dip duration and decreased the head-dip latency of socially isolated mice. PQS also reduced the total fighting time in the isolation-induced aggression test. PQS exhibits an anxiolytic effect in socially isolated mice and might be a potential candidate for use as an anxiolytic drug.

Key words: Panax quinquefolium L, saponin, anxiety, social-isolated mice, aggression