Abstract

ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF ABIES WEBBIANA LEAVES ON BEHAVIOURAL MODELS OF ANXIETY IN RATS

Rajendra Kumar Singh*, Vikas Kumar and Arun Kumar Jaiswal

Abstract

The present study has been conducted to assess the anxiolytic activity of chloroform extract of Abies webbiana leaves in rats using different anxiety model viz. Open field exploratory behavior, elevated plus maze [EPM] and elevated zero maze [EZM] tests. Chloroform extract orally at different dose levels once daily x 3days, while lorazepam [LR: 0.5 mg/kg,ip] was administered acutely. Chloroform extract of A.webbiana leaves [AW: 50 and 100 mg/kg, po.] showed anxiolytic effects on all the models of anxiety. The results indicate that AW and LR induced a significant increase in open field ambulation and slight increase in rearing and activity in center, whereas grooming and faecal droppings remain unchanged. In EPM, significant augmentation of open arm entries and time spent on open arms was recorded in AW treated rats. In EZM test, significant increase in time spent on open arms and entries in open arms was observed, whereas slight increase in head dips and stretched attend postures was also observed. The AW extract showed consistent and significant anxiolytic activity in all the paradigms of anxiety tests. The AW effects induced by chloroform extract were less marked than those of lorazepam.

Keywords: Abies webbiana: Anxiolytic activity: Behavioural paradigms.