ANXIOLYTIC EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AERIAL PARTS OF CARISSA CARANDAS L. IN MICE

Medicinal properties of Carissa carandas L. are well documented.Its central nervous system related activities are mentioned in Ayurveda system of medicine.However, studies evaluating its anxiolytic properties and the underlying mechanisms are lacking.We investigate anxiolytic activity of Ethanolic extract of aerial parts Carissa carandas L. by using animal models such as Elevated plus maze and light dark model.The level of neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin in subcortical region of brain of mice were also estimated.The phytoconstituents were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus.The mice were orally administered with the standard drug diazepam for 21 days.Anxiolytic activity was assessed using elevated plus maze and light/dark transition test models on day 1, 7, 14 and 21.On the 21th day, subcortical regions of brain were quantitatively assessed for neurotransmitters.Extract treatment improved exploratory activity in the animal models of anxiety, and also showed increased GABA and