ANTI-ANXIETY ACTIVITIES OF THE AQUEOUS AND METHANOL EXTRACTS OF ALCHORNEA LAXIFLORA IN ALBINO MICE by Chukwunwike Nwonu, Olapade Ilesanmi, Joseph Agbedahunsi, Patience Nwonu, Scientific Research Journal (Scirj), Volume VI, Issue III, March 2018 Edition

Scirj Volume VI, Issue III, March 2018 Edition
ISSN: 2201-2796

ANTI-ANXIETY ACTIVITIES OF THE AQUEOUS AND METHANOL EXTRACTS OF ALCHORNEA LAXIFLORA IN ALBINO MICE

Chukwunwike Nwonu, Olapade Ilesanmi, Joseph Agbedahunsi, Patience Nwonu

Abstract: The study investigated the effects of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Alchornea laxiflora on two mouse models of anxiety, the elevated plus-maze and the staircase. This was with a view to providing information on the anxiolytic potential of A. laxiflora. Seven (7) groups of mice of both sexes (n=6) weighing 18 – 22 g were used for the study, which were randomized into control and the test groups. The control group (I) received 10 % Tween 80 (vehicle), 0.1 ml/10 g mouse, p.o. while the test groups (II,III,IV,V,VI) were administered graded doses (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 mg/kg, p.o.) of the extracts. The reference group (VII) received standard drug, Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). The animals were observed for exploratory activity in the open and the close arms of the elevated plus-maze. The animals were also observed for rearing and steps-climbing of the staircase model. They were appropriately scored in the elevated plus-maze and the staircase paradigms individually 30 and 60 min post intra-peritoneal and oral administrations respectively for both the aqueous and the methanol extracts. The extracts demonstrated anxiolytic activity in the elevated plus-maze test, by the increase in the percentage entry into open arms, increase in the percentage time spent in the open arms, significant (P = 0.000) increase in the time spent in the open arms and a decrease in the index of open arm avoidance. In the staircase model, there was a significant (P = 0.000) decrease in rearing and a significant (P = 0.000) increase in the number of steps-climbing. The study concluded that the aqueous and the methanol extracts of A. laxiflora have anti-anxiety activities in mice.

Reference this Paper: ANTI-ANXIETY ACTIVITIES OF THE AQUEOUS AND METHANOL EXTRACTS OF ALCHORNEA LAXIFLORA IN ALBINO MICE by Chukwunwike Nwonu, Olapade Ilesanmi, Joseph Agbedahunsi, Patience Nwonu published at: "Scientific Research Journal (Scirj), Volume VI, Issue III, March 2018 Edition, Page 69-77 ".

Search Terms: Alchornea laxiflora, anxiety, elevated plus-maze, staircase and mice

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