<i>LENTINULA EDODES</i>: A PRODIGIOUS MUSHROOM POSSESSES ANXIOLYTIC POTENTIAL IN RODENTS<u> </u><u></u>

Background: Mushrooms have been used from ancient times as traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines in number of diseases. Among them, Lentinula edodes, a prodigious mushroom contained flavonoids which are known to possess anxiolytic activities. In this study, we assessed the anxiolytic potential of Lentinula edodes extract. Material and method: In this study light-dark box test, elevated plus maze test and open-field test were utilized to investigate the anxiolytic potential of L. edodes extract (LEE). The extract was given orally by gavage at the two doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. Diazepam (1 mg/kg) was utilized as the standard drug. Result: It was observed that in light dark box the extract at both the doses produced significant and dose dependent increase in time remained in light chambers (p<0.001), transfer latency (p<0.001) and the sum of adaptations between two chambers (p<0.001) were significantly raised as compared the control group. However, in elevated plus maze animals in treated group spent more time in the open arm to that of closed as compared to the control group. Lentinula edodes also demonstrated significant dose dependent increase in the number of squares crossed (p<0.001) and rearings (p<0.001). However, fecal droppings were significantly decreased (p<0.001) in open field test as compared to that of animals in the control group. Conclusion: The findings of this research concluded that Lentinula edodes extract possesses anxiolytic activity in animal models of anxiety.