OBJECTIVE To investigated whether acute subcutaneous administration of G.elegans alkaloids(eg,gelsemine,koumine,gelsevirine,gelsenicine) were capable of exerting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in mouse models of these disorders.METHODS We used two mouse models of anxiety(elevated plus-maze and light-dark transition model),and two mouse models of depression(forced swim test and tail suspension test) to examine whether the G.elegans alkaloids are capable of attenuating anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors.RESULTS Gelsemine,koumine and gelsevirine exhibited potent anxiolytic effects in both the elevated plus-maze and the light-dark transition model.Gelsenicine,on the other hand,had no effect on the behavioural response in either of the anxiety models.None of the G.elegans alkaloids exerted antidepressant effects in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test.Importantly,none of the G.elegans alkaloids impaired spontaneous motor activities.CONCLUSION Gelsemine,koumine and gelsevirine might serve as potential candidates for the treatment of anxiety-related disorders in clinical trials with human patients. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether acute subcutaneous administration of G.elegans alkaloids (eg, gelsemine, koumine, gelsevirine, gelsenicine) were capable of exerting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in mouse models of these disorders. METHODS We used two mouse models of anxiety (elevated plus- maze and light-dark transition models), and two mouse models of depression (forced swim test and tail suspension test) to examine whether the G.elegans alkaloids are capable of attenuating anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors .RESULTS Gelsemine, koumine and gelsevirine see potent anxiolytic effects in both the elevated plus-maze and the light-dark transition model. Gelsenicine, on the other hand, had no effect on the behavioral response in either of the anxiety models. None of the G.elegans alkaloids exerted antidepressant effects in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test. Implantantly, none of the G.elegans alkaloids impaired spontaneous motor activities. CONCLUSION Gelsemine, koumine and gel sevirine might serve as potential candidates for the treatment of anxiety-related disorders in clinical trials with human patients.