Alpha-pinene treatment at both doses significantly attenuated anxiety-like behaviours and reduced neuroinflammatory markers, suggesting involvement of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Alpha-pinene exhibits anxiolytic-like effects in reserpine-treated rats, potentially via suppression of hippocampal neuroinflammation, supporting further investigation into its therapeutic potential for anxiety disorders. This evidence concerns the gene NFKB1 and anxiety disorder.