Tests BPC 157 anxiolytic effects using two complementary tests: shock probe/burying test and light/dark test in rats and mice. In the burying test, BPC 157 significantly reduced burying behavior (anxiety response) without increasing shock-seeking (unlike diazepam, which both reduced burying and increased shock-seeking). In the light/dark test, BPC 157 increased dark-zone exploration while diazepam increased light-zone time. Demonstrates a real but distinctively different anxiolytic profile from benzodiazepines—suggesting a novel anxiolytic mechanism without the motor disinhibition or risk-reward distortion seen with GABA-A modulators.
Abstract
AIM: To study anxiolytic effect of a gastric pentadecapeptide, BPC-157.
METHODS: In shock probe/burying test, pentadecapeptide BPC-157 (10 microg/kg, 10 ng/kg, ip), diazepam (0.075, 0.0375 mg/kg, ip), and an equivolume of saline (5 mL/kg, ip) were given at 30 min prior test. In light/dark test, the same dosage of diazepam, BPC-157, and saline were given at 45 min prior procedure.
RESULTS: Shock probe/burying test: rats treated with either diazepam or pentadecapeptide BPC-157 were much less afraid after the shock: almost not burying and the total time spent in burying was clearly less than in controls. However, while in the diazepam treated rats the number of shocks received increased over control values, in pentadecapeptide BPC-157 treated groups the number of shocks remained not modified compared with the control values. Light/dark test: after exposure to the intense light, diazepam treated mice had longer latencies of crossing to the dark compartment, a greater number of crossing and a greater number of exploratory rearing, and spent longer time in the light compartment, as compared to the control mice, while BPC-157 mice had a similar behavior to that of the control mice. In contrast with the effect in light area, in dark zone diazepam produced no change with respect to controls, while BPC-157 (10 microg/kg) mice had a greater number of crossing and a greater number of exploratory rearing.
CONCLUSION: Both diazepam and BPC-157 displayed a bidirectional effect, but the activity of pentadecapeptide BPC-157 was particular, and different from diazepam.
Authors
Sikiric, P; Jelovac, N; Jelovac-Gjeldum, A; Dodig, G; Staresinic, M; Anic, T; Zoricic, I; Ferovic, D; Aralica, G; Buljat, G; Prkacin, I; Lovric-Bencic, M; Separovic, J; Seiwerth, S; Rucman, R; Petek, M; Turkovic, B; Ziger, T