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

Figure 4

Effects of AESZS on plasma CORT levels during NicW. Withdrawal from repeated Nic administrations increased plasma CORT concentrations in rats, but these increases were prevented by AESZS treatment. All data are expressed as a mean ± SEM (n = 8). S: saline; DW: distilled water; Nic: nicotine; NicW: nicotine withdrawal; CORT: corticosterone; AESZS: aqueous extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae; AESZS60: 60 mg/kg/d AESZS; AESZS180: 180 mg/kg/d AESZS. ^### p < 0.001 versus S/DW group; p < 0.01, p < 0.001 versus Nic/DW group (one-way ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc test).