O perform the anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida (leaves) in experimental model (elevated plus maze) in mice

Objective: To perform the anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida (leaves) in experimental model (elevated plus maze) in mice. Materials and methods: The leaves of Benincasa hispida was collected, dried and crushed. The leaves were extracted with ethanol by using maceration method of extraction. After the extraction phytochemical screening was performed. The ethanolic extract leaves of Benincasa hispida was studied at two dose level (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg, in oral administration) in mice by using elevated plus maze model. The mice are divided into four groups and each group contains 6 mice. Group-I mice were managed with water for 7 days. Group-II mice were managed with standard drug (Diazepam) 2mg/kg for 7 days. Group-III mice were managed with extract of B.hispida at a dose of 200mg/kg and Group-IV mice were managed with extract of B.hispida at a dose 400mg/kg for 7 days. Anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of B.hispida was estimated by using elevated plus maze model. In elevated plus maze model, ethanolic extract of B.hispida showed increased the percentage of time spent in open arm and percentage of open arm entries. Results: Phytochemical analysis of B. hispida ethanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Administration of Diazepam (2mg/kg i.p.) produced a significantly decrease the anxiety behaviour when compared with the control treated group. Administration of Benincasa hispida extract (200mg/kg & 400mg/kg) to mice significantly decrease the anxiety like behaviour when compared with the Diazepam treated group and it was found that the extract dose 400mg/kg show higher anxiolytic effect than 200mg/kg dose of extract of B.hispida. Conclusion: The results suggest that the leaves of the Benincasa hispida possess significantly anti-anxiety activity.