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NJBMS - Volume 3, Issue 2, October - December 2012

Pages: 134-140
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PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITIES OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (ASHWAGANDHA) FAT EXTRACT IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS

Author: JAYANTHI MK, PRATHIMA C, HURALIKUPPI JC, SURESHA RN

Category: Pharmacology

Abstract:

Background; Anxiety remains the most common psychiatric disorder affecting man. Therapy of anxiety has been a difficult task since ages. Conventional Anxiolytic drugs cause undesirable adverse effects. Study on Indigenous medicinal drugs can throw light on development of newer, safer, well tolerated, economical and naturally accessible remedies. The present study evaluated the anxiolytic like effects of the fat extract of Withaniasomniferainmice.

Materials and Methods : fat extract of Withania somnifera(WS) was evaluated in various paradigms - elevated plus maze test (EPMT), light and dark box (L and DT) and open field test (OFT) to establish anxiolytic activity of the extract. In addition, motor coordination was also assessed by rota rod test (RRT). Diazepam 1 mg/kg served as a standard anxiolytic drug, administered orally.

Results: The fat extract of WS (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly increased the percentage of time spent and number of entries in open arm in EPMT. In L and DT, the extract produced significant increase in time spent, number of crossing and decrease in the duration of immobility in light box. In OFT, the extract showed significant increase in number of rearings and square crossed, all of which are demonstrations of exploratory behavior. Furthermore, the extract produced skeletal muscle relaxant effect assessed by RRT.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the extract has anxiolytic – like activity. It may be worthwhile isolating the constituents for further study

Keywords: Anxiolytic, elevated plus maze, open field, rota rod, Withania somnifera