Evaluation of Anxiolytic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Tubers of Gloriosa superba Linn in Mice

The clinical applications of well-known benzodiazepines as anxiolytic agents are limited because of their side effects. Therefore, the development of new pharmacological agents from medicinal plants is well justified. Among medicinal plants, Gloriosa superba Linn (Liliaceae) has been recommended for relief of anxiety in traditional folk medicines. Nevertheless, no pharmacological studies have so far evaluated it in this regard. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anxiolytic effects of ethanolic extract of the tubers of Gloriosa superba Linn in mice. The ethanolic extract of the tubers of Gloriosa superba Linn (EEGS), after preliminary phytochemical screening was subsequently evaluated for antianxiety activity using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) model and Rota-Rod Test (RRT) in Swiss albino mice. Diazepam was used as standard drug. Adult Swiss albino male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6). Groups I and II received CMC (1%, w/v, p.o) and diazepam (1mg/kg, i.p), respectively, while groups III and IV received orally 80 and 120 mg/kg doses of the EEGS respectively. The mice were then individually placed in animal anxiety models such as Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Rota Rod Test (RRT) and are evaluated for various parameters. In EPM test, 80 and 120 mg/kg doses of the extract significantly increased the percent number of entries and time spent in open arms compared to control. In RRT model both doses of the EEGS significantly reduced (P<0.001) the fall of time of albino mice compared to that of control. The present study clearly demonstrated that the ethanolic extract exerts an anxiolytic effect on mice, and it could serve as a new approach for the treatment of anxiety.