Anxiogenic effect of lansoprazole in wistar rats

Lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, increases plasma levels of substance P. Substance P is known to play a role in anxiety. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether lansoprazole can cause anxiety in rats. Elevated plus maze and Open field test were used to assess anxiogenic activity. Four groups of rats were treated orally with gum acacia 10 ml/kg, lansoprazole 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg doses respectively. The drugs were administered once daily for ten days. The time spent, number of entries, rears in the arms of the elevated plus maze and central and peripheral squares in the open field test were observed. In the elevated plus maze, the time spent by rats treated with lansoprazole (1, 2 and 3 mg/kg) was reduced in the open arm but increased in the closed arm as compared to control. The number of rearings in the closed arm in the lansoprazole treated rats was decreased as compared to control. In the open field, the time spent by rats treated with lansoprazole (2 mg/kg) was decreased in the centre but increased in the periphery as compared to control. The number of rearings in the periphery in rats treated with lansoprazole (2 mg/kg) was decreased as compared to control. Lansoprazole was found to induce anxiety in rats.