Anxiolytic potential of linseed oil and Ashwagandharishta in Wistar albino rats

Abstract BACKGROUND: The search for better anxiolytic drugs persists due to the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and the absence of an ideal treatment. Medicinal plants represent an abundant and ongoing resource in the search for new drugs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of the linseed oil ( Linum usitatissimum L. oil) and Ashwagandharishta in Wistar albino rats. METHODS: Wistar albino rats (180 ± 10 g) were divided into five groups: Group 1 served as a control and received an equivalent amount of distilled water (10 ml/kg). Group 2 served as the vehicle control and received an equivalent amount of milk (8.2 ml/kg). Group 3 received linseed oil ( L. usitatissimum L. oil; 1.8 mL/kg) with milk. Group 4 received Ashwagandharishta (4.5 mL/kg). Group 5 received linseed oil with milk, followed by Ashwagandharishta. Anxiolytic activity was evaluated using the open-field test (OFT) and the elevated plus maze (EPM) model. RESULTS: The result showed that milk ( P < 0.05), linseed oil+milk ( P < 0.01) and Ashwagandharishta ( P < 0.01) decreased freezing time, while the combination of both drugs significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased the fecal pellets passed in the OFT. In the EPM model, Ashwagandharishta significantly ( P < 0.05) increased the latency of the first entry into the closed arm. CONCLUSION: In the OFT, the results of this study demonstrate the anxiolytic potential of milk as well as Ashwagandharishta . Further, linseed oil potentiates the anxiolytic activity of milk. The combination of linseed oil and Ashwagandharishta also exerted anxiolytic activity but it was statistically not significanct. However, in the EPM model, Ashwagandharishta exhibited some anxiolytic effect, whereas linseed oil did not exhibit any such effect.