Evidence for involvement of NK3 receptors in the anxiogenic-like effect of SP6-11(C-terminal), a metabolite of substance P, in rats evaluated in the elevated plus-maze

•Rats were i.c.v. treated with SR142801 (NK3 receptors antagonist) one minute to prior vehicle or SP6-11(C-terminal).•Other groups received SP6-11(C-terminal) i.c.v. one minute prior to senktide (NK3 receptors agonist) or vehicle.•The animals were behaviorally evaluated in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM).•SR142801 or SP6-11(C-terminal) promoted anxiogenic-like effects. Senktide promoted an anxiolytic-like profile.•SR142801 potentiated the SP6-11-induced anxiety. The anxiolytic-like effect induced by senktide was prevented by SP6-11.