Evaluation of anxiolytic activity of methanolic extract of Urtica urens in a mice model

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study was designed to study anxiolytic property of methanolic extracts of Urtica urens; an important and commonly used for its medicinal properties belongs to urticaceae family.MethodsThe anxiolytic activity was evaluated with the adult mice by hole board test, and the light–dark box test, and motor coordination with the rota rod test. The efficacy of the plant extract (100–400 mg/kg) was compared with the standard anxiolytic drug diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.)ResultsThe extract increased the time spent in the brightly-lit chamber of the light/dark box, as well as in the number of times the animal crossed from one compartment to the other. Performance on the rota rod was unaffected. In the hole board test, the extract significantly increased both head-dip counts and head-dip duration. Urtica urens, in contrast to diazepam, had no effect on locomotion.ConclusionsThese results provides support for anxiolytic activity of Urtica urens, in line with its medicinal traditional use, and may also suggest a better side-effect profile of Urtica urens relative to diazepam.

Neuropharmacological Activity of Nut Grass (Cyperus Rotundus L.) Rhizome Fraction

“…This research showed that ethanol fraction of CR in all doses caused a calming effect and reduced anxiety, as indicated by a significant decrease in the number of headdipping (Table III). Rotarod test aims to evaluate peripheral neuromuscular blockade and motor coordination (Doukkali et al, 2015). The administration of CR ethanol fraction can lead to sedation effect; therefore, the motor activity significantly decreased when compared to the negative control (Na CMC).…”

“…At the beginning of the test, mice were allowed to explore the apparatus freely for 10 minutes. Soon after administering the test substance, the exploration activities were recorded based on the number of head-dipping within 60 minutes (Arenas et al, 2014;Doukkali et al, 2015;Ajao and Akindele, 2013).…”

“…The apparatus was cleaned thoroughly between trials with alcohol. All behavioral recordings were carried out by an observer who was blind to the treatment the mice had received (Doukkali et al, 2015).…”

Impact of Hydroalcoholic Concentrate of Hemidesmus Indicus Against 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine Prompted Parkinsonism in Mice

“…The control mouse stayed on the bar for 180 s Fig.1. In a similar way, the time of the tumble from the pole was noted with a cutoff time of 3 min [13,14,42].…”

Evaluation of anxiolytic and hypoglycemic activity of methanolic extract of Ixora cuneifolia in an animal model

“…), each mouse was placed in turn at one corner of the board with the animal subsequently moving about and dipping its head into the holes. The number of head dips during a period of 5 min was recorded for individual mouse [15].…”