Determination of Effect of Esfand (Peganumharmala) Seed Extract on Fear Behavior in Male Rats with varying Ages

The present study was formulated in order to determine effect of inhalation of Esfand seeds extract on fear behavior in the rats with varying ages (i.e. 20-, 35-, 50-, and 20-35-50-day old). The extract was provided from the Esfand collected from Damghan Desert. The rats were subjected to inhalation of the extract at 12 mg/kg. Elevated-plus maze was adopted in order to assess fear in the rats. The results showed that inhalation of Esfand seeds extract increased the time spent and the number of visits to closed arm and the area between closed arm and neutral area in test rats as compared to control rats. This was considered as indicative of fear behavior. This effect was attributed to the neurotransmitters harmaline and harmine in the extract.