Isolation and Characterization of Eugenol from Couroupita guianensis Flowers and Evaluation of Its Anxiolytic Effects in Rats

Abstract The aim of the present study was to isolate and purify eugenol from the methanolic extract of the cannaball flower. The methanolic extract of the Cannonball Flower was identified to contain eugenol using HPTLC fingerprinting. To confirm the presence of Eugenol in the Cannonball Flower extract, the easily accessible standard Eugenol was used as a reference marker. This study aims to assess the possible anxiolytic effects of a methanolic extract of Couroupita guianensis flowers (CGFM) in rats. Male Swiss albino rats received 100 and 200 mg/kg of aqueous and methanolic extracts of CG orally for 15 days. The anxiolytic impact was assessed using the Open Field Test (OFT), Forced Swim Test (FST), and Elevated plus Maze (EPM) models. Eugenol was identified in the Cannonball Flower extract at concentrations of 4, 6, and 8 μg/ml, shown as blue bands (T1), (T2), and (T3) in the HPTLC chromatogram at 366 nm. The standard (Eugenol) and the cannonball flower extract were analyzed by HPTLC at concentrations of 4, 6, and 8 μg/ml. Eugenol was identified in the Cannonball Flower extract across all three concentration levels. Compared to the vehicle control, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of CG at a dose of 200 mg/kg demonstrated a substantial anxiolytic effect in mice in the EPM, FST, and OFT models. The anxiolytic properties of CG flower extracts have not been explored.