Antianxiety effect of cannabidiol in the elevated plus-maze

• DOI: 10.1007/bf02244012
• Publication Date: 2005-11-14T23:48:38Z
• Authors: F. S. Guimarães; T. M. Chiaretti; F. G. Graeff; A. W. Zuardi
• Keywords: Elevated plus maze

In order to assess the presence of anxiolytic properties in cannabidiol (CBD) the drug was tested in an elevated plus-maze model of anxiety, in rats. Doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg significantly increased the entry ratio (open/total number of entries), an anxiolytic-like effect. CBD at a dose of 20.0 mg/kg was no longer effective. None of the doses of CBD used changed total number of entries, a measure of total exploratory activity. Diazepam (2.0 mg/kg) also caused an anxiolytic-like effect in this model. These results indicate that CBD causes a selective anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus-maze, within a limited range of doses.