Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING OF ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (ASHWAGANDHA) ROOTS IN RATS

Yogendra Pal*, Prashant Kumar and Shashi bhooshan tiwari

ABSTRACT

Withania somnifera also commonly known as Ashwagandha, winter cherry and Indian ginseng, is a most important traditional plant. Withania somnifera plant belongs to the family Solanaceae. The roots of Ashwagandha plant has been consist two major active constituents are steroidal alkaloide and steroidal lactone which is a class of withanolides. In this research work study, the pharmacological screening of anxiolytic activity of alcoholic extract of withania somnifera roots in albino rats was compared with the control (vehicle) and standard group (diazepam 4 mg/kg, i.p. a chemical drug). The alcoholic extract of withania somnifera roots was administered orally in to two test groups A and B such as: 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg suspended in vehicle. The behavioral test was measured by using two anxiolytic models as elevated plus maze (EPM) and head dip chamber. The result shows increase the open arms entries and time spent in open arms in EPM, in head dip chamber model decreases the head dipping and rearing.

Keywords: Anxiety, withania somnifera (ashwagandha), elevated plus maze, head dip chamber.