Effect of Ethanol Extract Leaves of Nymphaea Lotus (Water Lily) on Fear and Anxiety Behaviour in Mice

Aduema W,Akunneh Wariso C,Munachi I

doi:10.21767/2386-5180.1000223

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the leave extract of Nymphaea lotus on neuro-behaviour using mice as experimental model on fear/anxiety. Twenty seven mice weighing between 20-29 g were randomly selected into A, B and C groups for the study. Prior to the assessment of these neurobehavioral parameters, the phytochemical screening of the plant and the LD50 were analyzed. The elevated plus maze was used to access anxiety/fear related behaviours. Our findings showed that N. lotus extract reduces fear/anxiety related behavior, this was so because, the time spent in the open arm was increased significantly (p<0.01 respectively) in the mice that were treated with the leave extract, the head dips showed similar results. However, the number of fecal boles, frequency of SAP and close arm duration were decreased in the mice treated groups compared to control (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively. In conclusion, the leaves of Nymphaea lotus may be responsible for the reduced level of anxiety and fear we found in the treated mice.

Highlights

Nymphaea lotus is a perennial plant that grows up to 45 cm in height; whose leaves float in water [1]
The open arm duration signifies the time spent by the mice in the open arm of the elevated plus maze (Figure 1) for the control, low dose and high dose diet of N. lotus which are 143.55 ± 8.28; 179.44 ± 4.71 seconds and 181.55 ± 10.72 seconds respectively
The frequency of head dips for the experimental animals were 9.88 ± 1.91; 20.44 ± 0.92/5 mins and 20.88 ± 2.40/5 min for mice fed control, low dose diet and high dose diet of N. lotus

Summary

Introduction

Nymphaea lotus is a perennial plant that grows up to 45 cm in height; whose leaves float in water [1]. Despite the immense technological advancement in modern medicine, many people still rely on traditional medicine and healing practices for their daily health practices [4,5]. This is owned to the fact that modern medicine leave resultant side effects coupled with the high cost in acquiring. Animals in group A received normal rodent chow and served as the control, group B and group C which serve as the low and high dose treated animals received 200 mg and 400 mg/kg of the leave extracts for the number of days that the experiment lasted

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion