OBJECTIVE: To study the anxiolytic effect of Peristrophe bicalyculata on stress induced anxiety in mice.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: Male Swiss albino mice were used. The animals were grouped into different groups and were treated as follows. Distilled water for control groups {stressed, unstressed}, extract in doses of 40, 80,160,320mg/kg, Fluoxetine (20mg/kg) and a combination of Fluoxetine plus extract {20mg/kg+160mg/kg} and Diazepam (3mg/kg).
The models used in this experiment include the Elevated Plus Maze, for Light and Dark Box and Open Field Test, Forced Swimming Test, Y Maze apparatus. The mice were treated every day and stressed for 14 days.
On the 15th day, the animals were tested using the models above and then sacrificed, the brain was harvested for use in the antioxidant assay. GSH, SOD, NO, CAT, MDA were used for the antioxidant assay.
Acute toxicity was carried out using the OECD guideline 423.
RESULTS: In the Elevated Plus Maze test, the extract increased open arm entry at 320mg/kg when compared to the stressed group, 80, 320 mg/kg increased open arm entry when compared to the unstressed group while Fluoxetine+extract reduced the open arm entry. 80mg/kg, Fluoxetine+extract increased the time spent in open arm when compared to the unstressed group while the extract treated groups, Fluoxetine+extract increased the time spent in open arm when compared to the stressed group.
In the Light and Dark Box test, 40, 80, 320 mg/kg, Fluoxetine+extract increased time spent in light chamber while all extract treated group increased the transition frequency, Fluoxetine+extract did not increase the transition frequency.
In the Open Field Test, all treatment increased the number of line crossing when compared to the stressed and unstressed group.
In the Forced Swimming Test, 80mg/g and Fluoxetine+extract significantly reduced the immobility time.
The extract was found to be non-toxic.
CONCLUSION: In this study Peristrophe bicalyculata exhibited anxiolytic activity.
KEYWORDS: Peristrophe bicalyculata, anxiety, antioxidant, toxicity
