The plasma cortisol level is also reported to be increased, as a true reflection of anxiety. Elevated Plus Maze test is one of the most simple and widely used apparatus to study anxiety and anxiolytic response of almost all type of antianxiety agents on small rodents. It is based upon rodents (rats and mice) natural aversion for high and open space and prefer enclosed arm and, therefore, spend greater amount of time in enclosed arm.

Exposure of the animals to novel maze alley evokes an approach-avoidance conflict which is stronger in open arm as compared to enclosed arm. When animals enter open arm, they freeze, become immo bile, defecate and show fear-like movements.