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Updated: May 16, 2026
Elevated Plus Maze for Mice
Published on: December 22, 2008
Effect of phencyclidine derivatives on anxiety-like behavior using an elevated-plus maze test in mice
Ramin Hajikhani1, Abbas Ahmadi, Nima Naderi
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch, Karaj, Iran.
Objectives:
The study attempted to investigate the anti-anxiety activities of Phencyclidine (1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine, PCP, I) and some of its derivatives (M, F, L, B, S, P) with the elevated-plus maze (EPM) Test.
Material And Methods:
Phencyclidine and its derivatives (M, F, L, B, S, P) were administrated intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 10 mg/kg to male mice. Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the elevated-plus maze test.
Results:
EPM results revealed an increase in open arms time spent after applying PCP and M, L, P, and B compounds at the administered dosage. Moreover, an increase in the number of open arm entries was observed with M, P, and B compounds. The P, B and S compounds increased the locomotion of animals, too, which might be considered as the side effect to the compounds.
Conclusions:
Considering the elevated-plus maze results, it was concluded that M and L compounds could be considered as a potential anxiolytic with less side effects due to a probable high electron donation of the methoxy group, as well as the hydrophilic properties of hydroxyl groups on these compounds.
