ABSTRACT
Objective: The study was carried out toevaluate whether moxifloxacin can cause anxiety in rats.Materials and Methods: Elevated plus maze and open field test were used to assess the anxiogenic activity of moxifloxacin. Four groups of rats were treated orally with distilled water (10 ml/kg), levofloxacin (40 mg/kg) andmoxifloxacin (36 mg/kg and 72 mg/kg), respectively. The time spent, number of entries, rears in the arms of the elevated plus maze and central and peripheral areas in the open fieldwere observed. Results: Moxifloxacin (both doses) significantly increased (P<0.05) the time spent in the closed arms of elevated plus maze and significantly decreased (P<0.05) the time spent in the open arms of the elevated maze and central area in the open field as compared to control. The number of entries in the central area was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in moxifloxacin and levofloxacin treated rats. The number of rearings was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in both arms of the elevated plus maze and peripheral areas of open field in moxifloxacin and levofloxacin treated groups. Conclusion:Moxifloxacin produced anxiogenic activity in wistarrats.