Anxiolytic Activity of Canscora decussata in Albino Rats

Abstract

Shankhpushpi is a popular medicinal plant in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for treating mental disorders. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Canscora decussata Schult. (Gentianaceae) commonly known as shankhpushpi on the central nervous system of albino rats. Ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of the plant was evaluated in the elevated plus-maze test, open field exploratory behavior and rotarod performance experiments. In the elevated plus-maze, ethanolic extract at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. showed an anxiolytic effect as evidenced by increase in the time spent in open arms and the number of open arm entries, compared to control group. The open field exploratory behaviour was also increased on administration of the ethanolic extract. The ethanolic extract at dose of 400 mg/kg p.o. significantly reduced the neuromuscular coordination indicative of the muscle relaxant activity at a high dose. Diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.) was used as a standard in all the animal models studied. A biomarker viz., mangiferin, was also isolated and characterized and its effects were observed in the animal models along with the ethanolic extract.