Isadora Freitas de Sousa, Francisco Rogênio da Silva Mendes, Maria Kueirislene Amâncio Ferreira, Antônio Wlisses da Silva, Leticia Souza da Silva, Jane Eire Silva de Alencar Menezes, Márcia Machado Marinho, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Matheus Nunes da Rocha, Antônio César Honorato Barreto, Alexandre Magno Rodrigues Teixeira, Hélcio Silva Dos Santos
Anxiety and seizures are prevalent conditions worldwide, with conventional treatment relying on benzodiazepines. However, the long-term use of these drugs is associated with adverse effects and the development of dependence, driving the search for safer therapeutic alternatives. (+)-Dihydrocarvone is a monoterpene ketone with documented biological activities, including antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study utilized adult zebrafish (*Danio rerio*), an animal model widely used in pharmacological and behavioral research due to its neurobiological similarity to mammals. Toxicity tests, assessments of anxiolytic activity and memory effects, and *in silico* studies were conducted. The results demonstrated anxiolytic-like effects and memory preservation associated with (+)-dihydrocarvone, with pharmacological data suggesting the possible involvement of GABAergic and serotonergic pathways. Furthermore, molecular interaction analyses revealed affinity for the GABA∼A receptor, indicating a potential pharmacological effect.