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

Figure 7

Effects of post-AESZS infusions of CRF into the CeA on the anti-anxiety actions of AESZS. At 60 min after the fourth 180 mg/kg/d AESZS, the rats received bilateral intra-CeA infusions of CRF and then were tested in the EPM to evaluate anxiety-like behavior. (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. All data are expressed as a mean ± SEM (n = 6). S: saline; DW: distilled water; Nic: nicotine; MRS: modified Ringers’ solution; AESZS: aqueous extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae; AESZS180: 180 mg/kg/d AESZS. ^# p < 0.05, ^## p < 0.01, versus S/DW/MRS group; p < 0.05, p < 0.01 versus Nic/DW/MRS group; ^@ p < 0.05 versus Nic/AESZS180/MRS group (one-way ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc test).

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