EFFECT OF VALEPOTRIATES ON THE BEHAVIOR OF RATS IN THE ELEVATED PLUS-MAZE DURING DIAZEPAM WITHDRAWAL

The effect of a mixture of valepotriates on the elevated plus-maze per formance of diazepam withdrawn rats was evaluated. The rats were chron ically (28 days) treated with diazepam (doses increased up to 5.0 mg/k g) and then treated with control solution for 3 days to induce a withd rawal syndrome. Chronically vehicle-treated rats were used as control. The abstinent animals treated with vehicle showed a significant decre ase in the percentage of time spent in the open arms when compared wit h the control animals. Diazepam and valerian 12.0 mg/kg reversed this anxiogenic effect. Valerian 6.0 mg/kg did not show any difference in r elation to the others group.