BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anxiety is a common psychological disorder in developing societies, in which several neurotransmitters are involved. Use of pharmaceutical drugs in the treatment of anxiety has been associated with numerous side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of grape seed oil on male rats in the elevated plus maze (EPM) model.

METHODS: This experimental study was conducted on rats weighing 250- 300 grams divided into five groups of eight. Animals were administered with grape seed oil via gavage for five consecutive days, and behavioral tests were carried out 30 minutes after the intervention. Anxiolytic properties of grape seed oil were evaluated using the EPM model, and motor coordination of rats was assessed using the Rotarod apparatus. After behavioral evaluations, the animals were deeply anesthetized, and blood samples were obtained from their heart. After the extraction of blood serum, the antioxidant capacity test was performed.

FINDINGS: In animals administered with grape seed oil at doses of 50 (15±2.1), 100 (21.5±1.8), and 200 (27.5±1.8) milligram per kilogram of body weight, the number of open arm entries in EPM increased significantly compared to the control group (p=0.008, p=0.005, p=0.008). Moreover, gavage of grape seed oil at the dose of 200 mg/kg (177.5±95.17) significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of EPM (p=0.023). In addition, serum antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in rats receiving grape seed oil compared to control subjects.

CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, grape seed oil could be effective in the reduction of anxiety levels through the inhibition of oxidative stress in rats in the EPM model