Abstract
Bacopa monniera Linn. or Brahmi, a plant in the family Scrophulariaceae, is used as a traditional medicine for memory improvement, dementia like anxiety, depression, epilepsy etc. for a long time in Bangladesh. This study evaluated the anxiolytic effects of the methanolic extract of B. monniera (MEBM) in animal models of anxiety. For the further tests and phytochemical screening, the whole plant of B. monniera extracted following maceration method. The extract was evaluated for anxiolytic activity using light/dark box, elevated plus maze, marble burying and rota rod tests in mice at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight. Diazepam (1.0 mg/kg), an anxiolytic drug used as standard drug. MEBM showed a strong and dose-dependent anxiolytic effects in animal models of anxiety. MEBM significantly increased the time spent in the light compartment, the latency time, and the entries of open arms in light/dark and elevated plus maze tests. In addition, MEBM also significantly decreased the number of buried marbles in marble burying test and increased the time of performance in rota rod test (p < 0.05). These were the major findings of this study. Therefore, our results reported that MEBM possesses anxiolytic effects in animal models of anxiety that support the traditional use of this plant as a potent agent to combat anxiety.
Highlights
Anxiety disorders are psychiatric conditions identified as the most common stress-related mood disorders causing disability and hasty death
This study evaluated the anxiolytic effects of the methanolic extract of B. monniera (MEBM) in animal models of anxiety
Our results reported that MEBM possesses anxiolytic effects in animal models of anxiety that support the traditional use of this plant as a potent agent to combat anxiety
Summary
Anxiety disorders are psychiatric conditions identified as the most common stress-related mood disorders causing disability and hasty death. Drugs prescribed for neuropsychiatric disorders have more side effects than they are efficacious. Benzodiazepines have well-known benefits, their side effects are high up, including muscle relaxation, sedation, physical dependence, memory disturbance, and interaction with other drugs [3]. In these conditions, the efficacy of such drugs is very limited. In the search for novel molecules useful for the treatment of neurological disorders, worldwide medicinal plant research has continued to improvement, demon starting the pharmacological effectiveness of different plant species in a variety of animal models [4]
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