Aqueous Extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae Exerts Anxiolytic Effects during Nicotine Withdrawal via Improvement of Amygdaloid CRF/CRF1R Signaling

Figure 3

Effects of AESZS on NicW-induced anxiety-like behavior. Withdrawal from repeated Nic administrations induced obvious anxiety-like behavior in rats, but these behaviors were attenuated by AESZS treatment. All data are expressed as a mean ± SEM (n = 8). (a) The total number of entries into open and closed arms of the EPM by rats. (b) Percentage of numbers of entries into open arms of the EPM by rats. (c) Percentage of time spent in open arms by rats. S: saline; DW: distilled water; Nic: nicotine; NicW: nicotine withdrawal; AESZS: aqueous extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae; AESZS60: 60 mg/kg/d AESZS; AESZS180: 180 mg/kg/d AESZS. ^## p < 0.01, ^### p < 0.001 versus S/DW group; p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001 versus Nic/DW group; ^@ p < 0.05, versus Nic/AESZS180 group (one-way ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc test).

(a)

(b)

(c)