Anxiolytic Properties of Trimetazidine in Experimental Models of Increased Anxiety

Effect of trimetazidine (20 and 30 mg/kg) on elevated plus maze behavior of rodents was assessed in the genetic and pharmacological anxiety models. Single intraperitoneal injection of trimetazidine in a dose of 20 mg/kg prevented anxiety development in highly emotional male BALB/c mice and increased the time spent in open arms of the maze. In outbred male rats receiving 10% ethanol solution for 20 weeks, trimetazidine administered intraperitoneally in a dose of 20 mg/kg for 28 days abolished ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiogenesis developed against the background of 4-week alcohol deprivation: it increased the time spent in open arms, the number of entries into open arms, and total locomotor activity in the maze. Anxiolytic properties of trimetazidine were not inferior to those of the non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic Afobazole (fabomotizole) in acute and chronic administration.