Dark Arena Research Articles

A preclinical study of Elettaria cardamomum for its antianxiety activity in Wistar albino rats

Background: Elettaria cardamomum, commonly known as cardamom, is one of the most widely used spices worldwide and is conventionally well known for its effects on the central nervous system (CNS) as a food additive. Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out to assess the ethanolic extract of E. cardamomum (EEEC) for its CNS activity in rats. The purpose of this study was to validate the traditional use of E. cardamomum as an antianxiety agent. Materials and Methods: The elevated plus maze and light–dark arena models were used to evaluate its anxiolytic activity. The open field test and actophotometer were used for assessing its effect on locomotor activity. The experiments were performed in Wistar albino rats of either sex after grouping the animals into three different groups. Twelve animals per group were used. Distilled water (10 mL/kg) was used as Control and Diazepam (1 mg/kg) were used as standard drugs for the respective tests. Results: EEEC (at a dose of 100 mg/kg) has shown anxiolytic and reduced locomotor activity. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that EEEC has anxiolytic and sedative effects, similar to benzodiazepine and possibly similar mechanisms.

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF HYPNOTIC POTENTIAL OF BOMBAX CEIBA FLOWER EXTRACT IN RATS

Insomnia refers the problem with sleep depth or time duration and difficulties during initiation or maintaining sleep are symptoms- significantly distress and impair the daytime working. The Bombacaceae family, of which B. ceiba is a member, includes gigantic, beautiful deciduous trees native to Northern Australia. It can be found in both tropical and temperate regions of Africa, Australia, and Asia. So, the present current study was designed to find-out the hypnotic activity of flowers of B. ceiba and using animal model. The B. ceiba flowers were shipped in from the Northeast. A botanist confirmed its identity and legitimacy. The flowers are cleaned to remove any dust and dried in the shade or at room temperature. Albino rats (both sexes) weighing 130-150g were donated by the Animal House at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Unnao. Animals were taken as 6 in each group and treatments were done for 21 days I.E., Group 1 administered vehicle daily, Group 2 administered Diazepam (4mg/kg) orally, Group 3 administered ethanolic flower extracts of B. ceiba (EFBC) (200mg/kg) orally., Group 4 administered ethanolic flower extracts of B. ceiba (EFBC) (400mg/kg) orally. The hypnotic effect of above extract by following screening models i.e., Thiopental sod. induced sleeping time, Motor co-ordination, Light/ dark arena, Locomotion and Antioxidant activity. The study's findings showed that the flower extract of B. ceiba was very effective in treating insomnia and its symptoms. Its mode of action may involve either the downregulation of neurotransmitter release or the upregulation of catecholamine destruction. In concludes that flowers of Bombax ceiba are effective in relieving the symptoms of insomnia and improves status of mind in sleep induction. Its MOA is required to elaborate for its selection in curing different issues related to mental disorders. It also suggests the isolation of the significant active components of B. ceiba acting in activity and then converted into dosage form with facilitated absorption.

Mucuna pruriens (Velvet bean) seed extract ameliorates epilepsy and anxiety against in vivo experimental models: A histopathological analysis

Introduction: the plant Mucuna pruriens is traditionally used in Indian system ofmedicine for the therapy of several neurological disorders. Chemical investigationson the plant have established the presence of levodopa and tryptamine which areresponsible for treating the neurological disorders like Parkinsonism. Objective:the objective of this research was to scientifically explore and ascertain its antiepilepticand anxiolytic activity in preclinical studies on Swiss albino mice. Materialand Method: the antiepileptic and anxiolytic effect of ethanolic extract of Mucunapruriens (EEMP) tested against maximal electroshock (MES) pentylenetetrazol(PTZ)-induced convulsions, Elevated Plus Maze, and light and dark arena. Actophotometertest performed to evaluate its potential locomotor activity deficitinducing action. Result: treatment of mice with EEMP significantly upturned theMES-induced convulsions, which was reflected by diminution in the time interval(sec) of entire phases of MES-induced convulsions, with an improvement in GABAlevels. In the PTZ model, pretreatment with EEMP delayed the latency and reducedthe intensity to clonic convulsions (p< 0.0001), and also delayed the latency oftonic convulsions as well as decrease the mortality mice in the treated groups ina dose-dependent manner. EEMP intervention dose dependently restored brainGABA levels. Assessment of GABA in mice’s brain after administration of EEMPexhibits significant modulation of GABA levels. Conclusion: overall, the findingssuggest that Mucuna pruriens has anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties that aremediated by positive GABAergic neurotransmission hence could be used to treatepileptic seizures, petitmal and grandmal epilepsy.

Hot plate method: A painful stimulus to induce anxiety in Wistar rats

Background: Pain is a common stimulus that induces anxiety in both Animals and human beings. Aim and Objective: We have undertaken this study to evaluate the induction of anxiety in Wistar rats using hot plate method. Materials and Methods: 24 Wistar rats of either gender were used. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and light and dark arena (LDA) were used to evaluate the anxiety and hot plate analgesiometer was used to induce anxiety. After baseline reading from EPM and LDA, the Wistar rats were exposed to the hot plate and then evaluated for the induction of the anxiety behavior. Results: After exposing to the hot plate, the ratio of time spent in the open arms to the time spent on the closed arms was decreased from 0.027 to 0.010 and also the ratio of time spent on the light chamber to the time spent on the dark chamber was decreased from 0.093 to 0.012. Hot plate method has shown statistical significant induction of anxiety as evaluated by EPM and also LDA. Conclusion: Hot plate method is a good intervention to induce anxiety in Wistar rats. Instead of injecting drugs that causes anxiety to explore the anxiolytic effects of the drugs the hot plate analgesiometer method is a good alternative.

Finding food in the dark: how trajectories of a gymnotiform fish change with spatial learning.

We analyzed the trajectories of freely foraging Gymnotus sp., a pulse-type gymnotiform weakly electric fish, swimming in a dark arena. For each fish, we compared the its initial behavior as it learned the relative location of landmarks and food with its behavior after learning was complete, i.e. after time/distance to locate food had reached a minimal asymptotic level. During initial exploration when the fish did not know the arena layout, trajectories included many sharp angle head turns that occurred at nearly completely random intervals. After spatial learning was complete, head turns became far smoother. Interestingly, the fish still did not take a stereotyped direct route to the food but instead took smooth but variable curved trajectories. We also measured the fish's heading angle error (heading angle - heading angle towards food). After spatial learning, the fish's initial heading angle errors were strongly biased to zero, i.e. the fish mostly turned towards the food. As the fish approached closer to the food, they switched to a random search strategy with a more uniform distribution of heading angle errors.

A three-photon head-mounted microscope for imaging all layers of visual cortex in freely moving mice

Advances in head-mounted microscopes have enabled imaging of neuronal activity using genetic tools in freely moving mice but these microscopes are restricted to recording in minimally lit arenas and imaging upper cortical layers. Here we built a 2-g, three-photon excitation-based microscope, containing a z-drive that enabled access to all cortical layers while mice freely behaved in a fully lit environment. The microscope had on-board photon detectors, robust to environmental light, and the arena lighting was timed to the end of each line-scan, enabling functional imaging of activity from cortical layer 4 and layer 6 neurons expressing jGCaMP7f in mice roaming a fully lit or dark arena. By comparing the neuronal activity measured from populations in these layers we show that activity in cortical layer 4 and layer 6 is differentially modulated by lit and dark conditions during free exploration.

Evaluation of the neuroprotective activity of P. amarus in attenuating arsenic-induced neurotoxicity - an in vivo study

BackgroundArsenic is viewed as a bizarre and frightful element in human history. Recent studies showed that even low levels of arsenic can cause neurological damage. Phyllanthus amarus is an important medicinal herb proved to have neuro protective effect in experimental animals. This pre-clinical study used an animal model of arsenic toxicity and screened the different neuroprotective mechanisms of Phyllanthus amarus ethanolic extract. PurposeTo assess the effect of Phyllanthus amarus ethanolic extract on various biochemical parameter's in the brain of arsenic administered Wistar albino rats. MethodologyThe neuroprotective activity of P. amarus against arsenic induced toxicity was studied in Wistar albino rats. The experimental animals (n=24) were divided into four groups of 6 rats each. Rats in group I received distilled water, whereas rats in groups II, III, and IV received arsenic as sodium arsenite salt (40 mg/kg b.w) in drinking water daily for 28 days. In addition, rats from groups III, and IV also received P. amarus ethanolic extract 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w, by intragastric route, once daily for a period of 28 days. At the end of the experiment rats were subjected to various neurobehavioral tests such as Elevated plus maze, Light dark arena, Forced swim test and Tail suspension test. After 24 h of the last treatment, the animals were euthanized and brain tissue was assayed for various biochemical parameters. ResultsANOVA and Post hoc testing of behavioral and biochemical data (Dunnett's t-test and Student unpaired T test) showed co-administration of P. amarus ethanolic extract significantly reversed anxiety and depression-like behaviors in experimental animals. P. amarus ethanolic extract effectively reduced acetyl cholinesterase activity in the brain, and it also increased the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brains of arsenic-treated animals as compared to only arsenic treated group. P. amarus ethanolic extract significantly decreased lipid peroxidase and increased brain catalase and super oxidase dismutase activities. ConclusionBased on the pharmacological, and biochemical analysis the plant extracts of P. amarus have shown protective effects against arsenic induced neurotoxicity.

ANXIOGENIC EFFECT OF AN ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC, OLANZAPINE IN PRE-CLINICAL MODELS

Introduction: Atypical antipsychotics, such as olanzapine, act on multiple neurotransmitter pathways and produce complex central nervous system effects. Pre-clinical and clinical studies conducted in the past, to study their effects on anxiety, have come up with confusing and contradictory observations. Some studies have even indicated anxiogenic effect of these novel drugs. These observations are significant, because anxiety symptoms are known to be present in about 65% of schizophrenia patients. Any possible anxiogenic effect by one of the extensively used antipsychotic can have adverse impact on these patients. Hence, this study was undertaken with the aim of evaluating olanzapine for its effects on anxiety, in preclinical models. Methods: Rats of either sex weighing between 150 and 300 g were placed into three groups of six each. For 10 days, oral doses of the test drug (olanzapine 2 mg/kg), the control drug (distilled water), and the standard drug (diazepam 1 mg/kg) were given. The animals were taken for the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light dark arena (LDA) screening tests on the 10th day, 1 h after the compounds were administered. Results: Olanzapine treatment significantly reduced the amount of time that animals spent in open arms (p<0.05) of the EPM, and highly lighted compartments (p<0.05) of LDA, as compared to animals receiving control treatment, showing a significant anxiogenic impact. Conclusions: Olanzapine has exhibited potential to produce anxiogenic effect in preclinical models. Hence, it is suggested to use olanzapine with caution in patients of schizophrenia with anxiety symptoms.

Potential role of Thiocolchicoside in anxiety disorder: A pre-clinical study

Abstract Aim:The aim of the current study is to evaluate anti-anxiety and potentiating effect of Thiocolchicoside in animal models of anxiety. Methodology: A total of 24 (n=24) Swiss albino mice were procured, and they were divided into four groups of six mice in each. First group of mice (control) received 10 ml/kg-Normal Saline, second group (standard) received 2.0 mg/kg-Diazepam, test-1 received 1 mg/kg-Thiocolchicoside and test-2 received Thiocolchicoside (1mg/kg) + Diazepam (2mg/kg) for seven days per orally. All the mice were evaluated for anti-anxiety activity by Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) 60 minutes after the oral drug administration of drugs on day 1, 3 and 7 and later after a washout period of one month, same four groups of mice were screened by Light and Dark Arena (LDA) model after receiving respective drugs. Results: One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s Kramer test were applied for inter group comparison and correlation test for intra-group comparison. Results are expressed in mean ± SEM. In EPM, time spent in open arm for the control, standard, test- 1 and test-2 were 64.5±25.81, 128.33±17.6, 138±10.56 and 168.33±22.35 seconds respectively. There is statistically significant difference between standard (P=0.05), test-1 (P=0.05) and test-2 (P=0.03) when compared with control group. Similarly, time spent in closed arm for the control, standard, test-1 and test-2 were 238.83±20.41, 171.67± 17.6, 162±10.56 and 131.67±22.35 seconds respectively. In this, test-2 is statistically significant from the control group (P=0.05). The number of entries in the open arm for the control group, standard group, test-1 and test-2 were 3.5±1.64, 13.17±7.44, 21 ± 4.05 and 13.33 ± 2.16 respectively. There is statistically significant difference between standard (P=0.03), test-1 (P=0.02) and test-2 (P=0.03) with control. Similarly, number of entries to closed arm for the control, standard, test-1 and test-2 were 9.5±3.62, 16.33 ± 5.65, 16.33 ± 4.23 and 8.17 ± 1.72 respectively. The values obtained for the standard, test-1 and test-2 were not statistically significant (P=0.8). In LDA, time spent in light arena for the control, standard, test-1 and test-2 were 106.83±18.21, 163.5±21.66, 105.33 ± 11.57 and 125.17 ± 16.35 seconds respectively. Statistically significant difference between the control and the standard group (P=0.05) is noted. Time spent in dark arena for the control, standard, test-1 and test-2 were 193.17±18.21, 136.5±11.66, 194.67±15.57 and 174.83±16.35 seconds respectively. Here only standard group is statistically significant when compared with control (P=0.05). The number of entries in the light arena for the control, standard, test-1 and test-2 were 11.67 ± 1.37, 13.17 ± 2.48, 12 ± 2.61 and 11.67 ± 1.03 respectively. The number of entries in the dark arena for the control, standard, test-1 and test-2 were 12.17 ± 1.47, 13.17 ± 2.93, 11.83 ± 2.23 and 11 ± 0.89 respectively. With regard to number of entries in the light and dark arena there was no statistical significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The study result clearly showed that Thiocolchicoside (1 mg/kg) has anti anxiety and additional potentiating effect when combined with diazepam in EPM and LDA models.

Evaluation of antianxiety properties of Piper betle L. leaf extracts on swiss albino mice

: Many indigenous medicinal plants with natural neuroprotective and antioxidant properties have shown to be beneficial in a variety of behavioral disorders such as anxiety disorders. To screen the Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of L.leaf for its antianxiety activity in Swiss Albino mice. : Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of L. leaf [PBEE and PBAE] at doses 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg were compared with standard (Diazepam 1mg/kg) and control (distilled water). Six Swiss albino mice (3 each of both sexes) weighing 25-30g were used for each group. Level of anxiety was studied using the behavioural models Elevated Plus Maze [EPM] and Light Dark Arena [LDA]. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts was done and compared. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer’s multiple comparison test at P = 0.05. The results were represented as Mean ± SEM. : PBEE 100mg/kg has shown significant increase in time spent in open arm and number of entries to open arm when compared with control in EPM model. The same dose was found to be significant for time spent in bright area and number of bright area entries in LDA model. On the other hand the PBAE doses were not significantly different from the control. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of bioactive component flavonoids in both the extracts, but saponins were absent in aqueous extract. : The ethanolic extract of L. at a dose of 100mg/kg has showed significant antianxiety activity.

An in vivo study analyzing the anxiolytic activity of Garcinia indica fruit rind in preclinical models

Anxiety disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality, personal distress and reduced quality of life. Currently used anxiolytic drugs only have modest efficacy and are associated with significant untoward effects which leads to low compliance. Traditional ayurvedic medicine describes as a home remedy for many conditions. Hydroxycitric acid, a phytochemical constituent of Garcinia indica, has shown to elevate brain serotonin levels in the rat. The main aim of the present study is to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of Garcinia indica fruit rind in preclinical models.Male and female wistar albino rats were divided into four groups with six animals in each group: Control(0.1% carboxymethylcellulose 10ml/kg), ethanolic extract(GIEE1- 200mg/kg), ethanolic extract (GIEE2- 400mg/kg) and Diazepam (1mg/kg). All the drugs were administered orally for a period of 14 days. On the 14th day after one hour of drug administration, animals were evaluated using two models- Elevated plus maze and Light dark arena.Statistical significance was interpreted using one way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) followed by Tukey Krammer Test.GIEE1 and GIEE2 treated groups showed significant increase in time spent in open arms and time spent in light arena in elevated plus maze and light dark arena model respectively, compared to control. ethanolic extract demonstrated significant anxiolytic activity compared to the control.

Effect on anxiety of Coriandrum sativum leaf hydroethanolic extract oil and aqueous fraction in swiss albino mice

Background: Anxiety is a protective reflex and the most common disorder. This study was done to evaluate the effect of anxiolytic property of oil and aqueous fractions isolated from hydroethanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum leaf by novel freezing technique with swiss albino mice.Methods: Hydroethanolic extract of Coriandrum sativum leaves was prepared. Oil and aqueous part were separated with freezing technique. Animals were divided into six groups. Ist group served as control and 1% DMSO was administered orally. IInd to Vth group were administered with Coriandrum sativum oil fraction and Coriandrum sativum aqueous fraction at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg orally. VIth group was treated with diazepam 1mg/kg orally. After one hour of dosing, battery of test was done viz, elevated plus maze (EPM), light dark arena, photo actometer and rotarod.Results: One-way analysis variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test was used for statistical analysis. Anxiolytic property was found to be in the following order diazepam>coriandrum sativum aqueous 800>coriandrum sativum aqueous 400>coriandrum sativum oil 800>coriandrum sativum oil 400 mg/kg. All the extracts were devoid of adverse effects of motor coordination.Conclusions: Coriandrum sativum leaf possesses anxiolytic effect. The aqueous fraction of the hydroethanolic extract of the Coriandrum sativum leaf was found to be potent and further analysis may lead to identification of active compounds. The findings that the extract is non-sedating anxiolytic and is of good safety index are promising.

Preclinical Evaluation of Anxiolytic Activity of Adhatoda Vasica Leaf Extract in Swiss Albino Mice

Objectives: To evaluate the possible anxiolytic activity of methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves (MEAVL) in Swiss albino mice. Methods: A total of 60 (n=60) mice were used. They were divided into ten groups of six mice each. The dose of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg MEAVL were chosen after acute toxicity study. First 5 groups were evaluated by Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and rest 5 group were evaluated by Light and Dark Arena (LDA) model. First group of mice (control) received 0.05ml/10g of Normal Saline, second group (standard) received 1.0 mg/kg Diazepam, third, fourth and fifth group received 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of MEAVL respectively. Anti-anxiety effect was evaluated 60 min after the oral drug administration. Results: All the results were expressed in mean ± SD. One way ANOVA followed by Tukey- Kramer multiple comparison tests were used to compare between groups. In EPM model, the numbers of entries in open arm were 3.50±1.64, 13.17±7.44, 7.50±4.63, 3.67±1.86 and 4.67±2.94 respectively noted for 1st to 5th groups respectively for Normal Saline, Diazepam, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of MEAVL. Similarly in LDA model, the numbers of entries in dark arena were 12.17±1.47, 13.17±2.92, 12.33±3.01, 7.17±1.94 and 10.50±3.08 respectively noted for 6th to 10th group. This result clearly showed that MEAVL-400mg/KG has antianxiety property when compared to diazepam as evidenced by increase in the number of entries in dark arena in LDA model with p 0.05). Conclusion: The current study has demonstrated an antianxiety effect of MEAVL in a dose of 400mg/kg in LDA model. However, the study plant must be further evaluated to confirm the molecular basis of the antianxiety property so that it can be helpful for the society in the near future because of its antianxiety property.

The Oxford Handbook of Rhetorical Studies

The Oxford Handbook of Rhetorical Studies

Synthesis and Anxiolytic Activity of some novel benzotriazole derivatives

1,2,3-Benzotriazole (BTA) is a heterocyclic compound with three nitrogen atoms. It is a polar and colourless compound which can be used for its great versatility. The enormous investigations on derivatives of benzotriazole reveal wide applicability for tagging and delivering a number of heterocyclic nuclei with this molecule. In the present work synthesis of several derivatives of 2-(substituted)-5-[(N-benzotriazolomethyl)-1,3, 4-thiadiazolyl]- imidazole-2-thione has been synthesized and are evaluated for their anxiolytic activity. The antianxiety activities of the synthesized derivatives were evaluated using EPM test and Bright and dark box test experimental models of anxiety. All results were expressed as mean± standard error mean (SEM) and analysed by one-way ANOVA. Post-hoc comparisons were performed by applying Dunnet’s test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Keywords: Benzotriazole; Thiadiazole; Thiazolidinone; Anxiolytic Activity; Anxiety; Elevated Plus Maize; Bright and Dark Arena.

A study on anxiolytic activity and locomotor behavior of Curcuma amada rhizomes using Wistar albino rats

Background: Global burden of disease statistics indicate that 4 of 10 most important causes of disease worldwide are psychiatric in origin. Anxiety affects 1/8th of total population of the world and is a very important area of research interest in psychopharmacology. Medicinal plants and plant products are the oldest tried health-care products. Their importance is growing not only in developing countries but in many developed countries. Curcuma amada Roxb. (CA) commonly known as Mango Ginger is a rhizomatous aromatic herb which is used in this country for culinary purposes and also to treat various diseases. The rhizomes of Curcuma amada was screened for anxiolytic activity and locomotor behavior in Wistar albino rats.Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups as control (Distilled water with 0.1% CMC), standard (Diazepam - 1mg/kg) and test - Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma amada Rhizome (EECAR-250 mg/kg). They were administered drugs orally for a period of 10 days, and screened for anxiolytic activity using Light dark arena model and Actophotometer for assessing the locomotor behavior on the 10th day. The number of crossings and time spent in light arena for anxiolytic activity, and the number of movements in Actophotometer was noted. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer multiple comparison test using GraphPad InStat software.Results: Curcuma amada (250mg/kg) showed increased time spent in light arena and decreased locomotor behavior which was statistically significant.Conclusions: Curcuma amada possesses significant anxiolytic with CNS depressant activity.

NARINGENIN MITIGATES BERYLLIUM INDUCED BEHAVIORAL ALTERATIONS IN RATS

Beryllium induced neurotoxicity and therapeutic potential of naringenin had been explored for the first time in rats. For this purpose, 30 female albino rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 served as control, group 2 was naringenin per se and rest of the four groups were exposed to beryllium nitrate (1mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 28 days. Naringenin was orally administered in group 4, 5 and 6 at different doses (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) for 5 days after 28 days of neurotoxicity. All the animals were subjected to elevate plus maze, light dark chamber and rotarod experiments. Beryllium exposure decreased body weight, time spent and number of entries in open arm, increased time spent in close arms as compared to control in elevated plus maze whereas decreased % time spent in bright arena, number of entries in bright arena and increased % time spent in the dark arena in light and dark chamber; decreased motar coordination and balance skills on rotarod. Naringenin showed therapeutic potential and brought the studied variables more towards control at 20 mg/kg dose. It can thus, be concluded that naringenin may be an agent of therapeutic choice in case of beryllium induced behavioral alterations.

Anti-anxiety activity of Eucalyptus tereticornis n-hexane extract in Wistar albino rats

Background: To find out a new agent with a high therapeutic index for the treatment of anxiety, an indigenous medicinal plant Eucalyptus terteticornis was screened for its effect on anxiety in experimental animal model.Methods: Thirty six adult Wistar albino rats of both sexes weighing 175-200g were divided into three groups: Group I: DMSO 10% (0.1ml/200g), Group II: hexane extract of leaves of Eucalyptus terteticornis (ETHE) (100mg/kg/body weight), Group III: Diazepam (1mg/kg orally). All test compounds were administered orally for ten days. On tenth day, after one hour of test compounds administration, Wistar rats were taken for elevated plus maze (EPM) and light dark arena (LDA) tests. Statistical comparisons among the groups were performed by One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey Krammer test.Results: The results showed that ETHE treated animals (Group II) significantly (p <0.001) increased the time spent in open arms of EPM and in bright arena of LDA on comparing with normal (Group I).Conclusions: The anti-anxiety activity of Eucalyptus terteticornis can be due to its effect on brain neurotransmitters or due to antioxidant property.

Attenuation of anxiety on acute administration of aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica fruit pulp in Swiss albino mice

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the attenuation of anxiety on acute administration of aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica fruit pulp (AETBFP) by using elevated plus maze test and dark and light arena models.Methods: Thirty Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups, Group I received vehicle (1% Gum acacia suspension, 3ml/kg, orally), Group II received standard drug Diazepam (1mg/kg, orally) and Group III, IV and V received AETBFP 9, 18 and 36 mg/kg, orally respectively. In elevated plus maze test, the mouse was placed on the central platform facing towards open arm. The percentage of time spent and frequency of entries and number of rears in open arm was counted for a period of 5 min. In dark and light arena, the time spent, number of entries and number of rears in light arena was counted for a period of 5 min. The mean±SEM values were calculated for each group. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison tests; p< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Significant (p<0.05) reduction in anxiety was noted in experimental animals when given at a dose of AETBFP (36mg/kg), where number of entries and duration of stay in open arm and light arena increased in elevated plus maze and light and dark arena respectively when compared with control animals.Conclusions: Our study reveals that AETBFP at a dose of 36mg/kg has significant attenuation of anxiety in Swiss albino mice.

Assessment of brain dopamine levels to evaluate the role of Tylophora indicaethanolic extract on alcohol induced anxiety in Wistar albino rats

: Background: Alcohol induced health problems have tormented the world population since time immemorial. This research work was done to study the therapeutic role of Tylophora indica ethanolic extract on alcohol induced anxiety in Wistar albino rats. Method: Wistar albino rats were administered 20% alcohol, orally twice a day for 30 days. The protective role of Tylophora indica ethanolic extract was evaluated by administering it at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight orally in alcohol treated animals for 30 days. Anxiety was assessed by elevated plus maze and light dark arena tests. After that, animals were sacrificed and brains were dissected out, to measure the levels of dopamine. To pinpoint the active constituent responsible for the anxiolytic activity, Tylophora indica ethanolic extract was subjected to HPLC-LCMS analysis. Results: Elevated plus maze and light dark arena tests showed that alcohol induced anxiety can be prevented by Tylophora indica ethanolic extract in Wistar albino rats. There was a significant increase in the levels of Dopamine in the brains of rats, which received Tylophora indica. From the HPLC-LCMS analysis report it is postulated that Tylophorinidine is the active constituent responsible for the anxiolytic activity of Tylophora indica ethanolic extract. Conclusion: Tylophora indica can mitigate the deleterious effect of alcohol in CNS.Key words: Alcohol, Wistar rats, Anxiety, Tylophora indica, Antianxiety, Tylophorinidine.