Usmaan Zunnu Rain and Nejra Kulaglic

Oral Cannabidiol (CBD) Administration: Assessing Anxiolytic Properties of CBD in a Rodent Model

Authors: Usmaan Zunnu Rain (psychology), 2021 Winner ðŸ†, Nejra Kulaglic (biological sciences), 2021 Winner ðŸ†

Faculty mentor: Susanne Brummelte

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive constituent in cannabis, is claimed to have antinociceptive, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties and thus may have some therapeutic effects. However, there is a lack of scientific literature to support these claims. Therefore, this study analyzed the anxiolytic properties of a 99% pure CBD compound, supplied by Ellipse Analytics (Denver, CO). CBD was administered to adult male rats via oral gavage for 10 days at 0, and 20mg/kg. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated by using an Elevated Zero Maze on day 1 and day 10 of exposure. Noldus Ethovision tracking software was used to record and measure the time spent and distance traveled within closed and open arms of Elevated Zero Maze. On day 10, there was a significant effect of dose with the 20mg/kg group traveling less compared to the controls. This signifies a potential sedation effect due to the lack of movement within the 20mg/kg. This sedation, however, makes it difficult to properly interpret any potential anxiolytic properties of CBD. Further analysis is required to assess the potential dose-dependent anxiolytic outcomes of CBD in both male and female rodents.

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