Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF SANSEVIERA LIBERICA LEAVE

Wakeel O. K.*, Ayankunle A. A., Olapade M. K. and Abe A. I.

ABSTRACT

The leaves are used Traditionally in Nigeria and some other parts of Africa for the treatment insomnia and anxiety. The anxiolytic effect of the Sanseviera librica leave was studied in mice by using a number of experimental paradigms of anxiety and the result compared with that of the known anxiolytic compound. The methanol extract (100–400 mg/kg, i.p.) of the Sanseviera librica leave was examined. The anti-anxiety effect of the extract in this study was evaluated using an elevated plus maze, light and dark method and open field test. The methanol leave extract of Sanseviera librica inhibited novelty-induced rearing behavior (NIR), the number of square crossed both central and peripheral increased significantly, mice spent an increased number of time in the light compartment of light and dark apparatus and also, showed indices of open arm avoidance consistent with anti-anxiety effect. Flumazenil (10 mg/kg, i.p.) abolished the effects of methanol leave extract of Sanseviera librica on rearing and anxiety model. The methanol leave extract of Sanseviera librica possess anxiolytic activity. The blockade effect of Flumazenil of leave extract of Sanseviera librica on rearing and elevated plus maze suggesting that GABA receptors are mediated in the observed anxiolytic activity. In conclusion, this study confirmed the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant.

Keywords: Anxiolytic, elevated plus maze test, light and dark and rearing.