Study of antianxiety activity of Acalypha indica Linn. leaves using elevated plus maze model

Abstract

Acalypha indica L. is an annual erect herb found throughout various parts of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and tropical Africa. The plant has wide uses in the traditional medicines of various countries and reportedly possesses diuretic, purgative and anthelmintic properties, besides being also used for bronchitis, asthma, anxiety, pneumonia, scabies and other cutaneous diseases. So, the present study have been designed to study the anxiolytic effects of leave extracts of Petrolium ether, Chloroform, Methanol and water using elevated plus maze model in swiss albino mice by different doses 100,200,400mg/kg. Diazapam 2mg/kg use as standard. Results displayed that methanol extract of leaves 400mg/kg dose Acalypha indica increased the average time spent in the open arms of the EPM which was compared with the effect of diazepam. Hence this study shows that the plant has potentially antianxiety agent.