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Original ArticlePharmacognosy ResearchVol. 18 | Issue 2 | 2026 | pp. 324–329Open access
Anxiolytic Effects of the Pozol a Mexican Ancestral Beverage
- 1*,
- 2,
- 1,
- 1,
- 1,
- 2
- 1 Chiapas Medicinal Plants Research Institute, Benemerite Autonomous University of Chiapas, Mexico, MEXICO.
- 2 Division of Neurosciences, Institute of Cellular Physiology, The National Autonomous University of Mexico, MEXICO.
Published in Pharmacognosy Research
Correspondence: José del Carmen Rejón-Orantes
Chiapas Medicinal Plants Research Institute, Benemerite Autonomous University of Chiapas, Mexico, MEXICO.
Email: jose.rejon@unach.mx
Copyright: © 2026 Manuscript Technomedia. This is an open access article.
- Published:
- Mar 18, 2026
- Received:
- Aug 18, 2025
- Accepted:
- Dec 9, 2025
How to cite
Rejón-Orantes, J. D. C., Mora, M. P. D. L., Sánchez-Najera, M. G., Pérez, M. J. P., Trujillo, G. U. B., & Crespo‐Ramírez, M. (2026). Anxiolytic Effects of the Pozol a Mexican Ancestral Beverage. Pharmacognosy Research, 18(2), 324–329. https://doi.org/10.5530/pres.20260093
Abstract
Background
Pozol is a non-alcoholic, non-fermented pre-hispanic beverage prepared with nixtamalized maize and cocoa paste, mixed with water. This refreshing drink is nowadays yet highly consumed in some of the Mexican southwest states with the popular putative aim to improve excitement and mood.
Objectives
The Aim of the study to ascertain whether or not pozol is endowed with anxiolytic effects in mice.
Materials and Methods
Putative pozol anxiolytic effects were evaluated in mice using models to assess anxiety such as the hole-board, light/dark box, and the exploratory cylinder tests.
Results
The results of this paper suggest that pozol has indeed anxiolytic-like effects in all the animal models studied.
Conclusion
Our studies show that this ancestral drink has an anxiolytic effect in animal models and that it is possible that this activity contributes to its popular consumption.
Keywords
Subject
Article metadata
| Title | Anxiolytic Effects of the Pozol a Mexican Ancestral Beverage |
|---|---|
| Authors | José del Carmen Rejón-Orantes; Miguel Pérez De La Mora; Mareni Guadalupe Sánchez-Najera; Martha Julia Pascacio Pérez; Gerardo Uriel Bautista Trujillo; Minerva Crespo‐Ramírez |
| Affiliations | Chiapas Medicinal Plants Research Institute, Benemerite Autonomous University of Chiapas, Mexico, MEXICO.; Division of Neurosciences, Institute of Cellular Physiology, The National Autonomous University of Mexico, MEXICO. |
| Corresponding author | jose.rejon@unach.mx |
| Journal | Pharmacognosy Research |
| Volume / Issue | Vol. 18, Issue 2 (2026) |
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