Background and Aim: Kindling can increase anxiety-like behavior in rodents. Oxidative stress has an important role in arousing anxiety. It is known that Matricaria Recutita has an antioxidant effect. Thus, the present study aimed at assessing the effects of this plant’s extract. on anxiety-like behavior induced by kindling in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar Albino rats (wt:200-250 g) were randomly divided into 4 equal groups; namely control (intact), kindling, diazepam (2 mg/kg), and aqueous extract of Matricaria Recutita (30 mg/kg) intrapertoneally. Kindling was done by a sub-convulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 40 mg/kg, i.p.) in the remainder . groups. Kindling parameters in all these animals were evaluated by a plus elevated maze. The percent of time spent in the open arms of maze (OAT %) and percent of entries in the open arms (OAE %) were accounted for anxiety evaluation. Increase in OAT % and OAE % indicated an anxiolytic effect. Finally,the obtained data was analyzed by means of Any-Maze software and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level.

Results: Kindling significantly (P<0.05) increased anxiety response in rats for at least 24h following the last seizure (decrease in OAT % and OAE %). Administeration of diazepam and Matricaria Recutita induced a significant increase in OAT % and OAE %, thereby . displaying a decrease in the anxiety in the kindled rats (P<0.05). Activity rate of the animals increased in the extract-treated group.

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Matricaria Recutita was able to improve elevated levels of anxiety in kindled rats. Therefore, further works are needed to elucidate the extent and mechanism of these effects.