Evaluation of Anxiolytic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Root of Guziotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.

Abstract

The present study was designed to study anxiolytic property of aqueous extracts of Guziotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass. an oil yielding plant and is used for its various medicinal properties. The anxiolytic activity was evaluated with the adult mice by the light–dark box test, and motor coordination with the rota rod test. The efficacy of the root extract at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg was compared with the standard anxiolytic drug diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.) The results indicate that root extract increased the time spent in the brightly-lit chamber of the light/dark box, as well as in the number of times the animal crossed from one compartment to the other. These results provide support for anxiolytic activity of selected plant.