Evaluation of Anti-anxiety Potential of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Leaf Extract in Mice Using Experimental Models

Abstract

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives: </strong>The present study was conducted to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of ethanolic leaf extract of <em>Tinospora cordifolia</em> Linn. <em>Tinospora cordifolia</em>, the versatile herbal drug is the distinctive source of constituents which is having antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitoxic and anticancer activity. <strong>Methods:</strong> Leaves of <em>Tinospora cordifolia </em>was collected, dried and powdered used for 7 days cold maceration process. Ethanolic extract was subjected to the preliminary phytochemical screening to analyse the presence of active constituents. At a dose of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg body weight of animal was evaluated for antianxiety activity in mice using 3 experimental designs; elevated plus maze, open filed, light/dark transition model. Test group animals were compared with group of animal treated with diazepam (1mg/kg) as standard drug. Ethanolic extract at 100, 200, and 400mg/kg showed activity in dose dependent manner and at a dose of 400mg/kg showed significant increase; in elevated plus maze, number of entries in open arm and time spent in open arm; number of entries into light chamber and time spent in light chamber in light and dark transition model and in open field; number of square crossed, number of rearing and time spent in central square. <strong>Results: </strong>The results supported traditional use of <em>Tinospora cordifolia</em> in nervous disorders. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Study concluded that ethanolic extract of leaves of <em>Tinospora cordifolia </em>at a dose of 400mg/kg has significant antianxiety activity. <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key words: </strong>Anti-anxiety activity, Diazepam, Elevated plus maze, Light and dark model, Open field <em>Tinospora cordifolia</em> Linn.