PRECLINICAL PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ANXIOLYTIC EFFECTS OF ABELMOSCHUS MANIHOT AND ACALYPHA INDICA IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Anxiety disorders represent a significant global health burden, characterized by excessive fear, apprehension, and physiological arousal. While conventional pharmacotherapies, such as benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are effective, their utility is often limited by side effects, including sedation, cognitive impairment, and dependency. Consequently, research into herbal alternatives has intensified. This review examines the preclinical pharmacological profiles of two significant medicinal plants: Abelmoschus manihot (Malvaceae) and Acalypha indica (Euphorbiaceae). Both plants have traditional histories of use in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Recent studies using experimental animal models such as the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Light/Dark Box (LDB), and Open Field Test (OFT), suggest that extracts from these plants possess potent anxiolytic properties. This paper synthesizes the phytochemical constituents, predominantly flavonoids and alkaloids, and the hypothesized GABAergic mechanisms through which these botanicals exert their effects, providing a foundation for future clinical evaluation.