Anxiolytic activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extract in rats

Putative anxiolytic activity of leaf extract of A. indica, was investigated and compared with that of diazepam in rats using elevated plus maze and open field behaviour test paradigms of anxiety. Doses (10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) of freshly prepared leaf extract of A. indica and diazepam (1 mg/kg) were administered (po) once, 45 min prior to behavioural testing. Low doses (10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of A. indica leaf extract produced significant antianxiety effects both in plus maze and open field test. However, the higher doses of leaf extract (400 and 800 mg/kg) did not show anxiolytic activity. The effects induced by low doses (10, 20, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg) of extract were comparable to those of induced by diazepam (1 mg/kg).