Anxiolytic effect of hydroethanolic extract of Drymaria cordata L Willd

Drymaria cordata hydroethanolic extract (DCHE) at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg (p.o.) was administered to study anxiolytic effect. Different models for anxiolytic activity viz. Hole board, Open field, Elevated plus maze, Light/dark exploration model were used. In the hole board model, there was dose dependent and significant increase in the numbers of head pokes and the time of head dipping in the treated groups in comparison to the vehicle. In open field test, the number of rearing, assisted rearing and numbers of squares traversed increased significantly. Similarly, in elevated plus maze test, there was significant increase in the time spent and number of entries in open arm as compared to the time spent and number of entries in closed arm in dose dependent manner. In light/dark exploration test, another model for anxiolytic activity, the time spent in lit box, number of crossing and the latency period increased significantly with reduction in time spent in dark box after treatment with DCHE. The presence of phytochemicals viz. triterpenes, diterpenes, steroids and tannins might contribute to its anxiolytic activity.