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Anxiolytic effects of Dolichandrone falcata Seem., Bignoniaceae, stem-bark in elevated plus maze and marble burying test on mice

Efeitos ansiolíticos das cascas de Dolichandrone falcata Seem., Bignoniaceae, em teste do labirinto em cruz elevada e teste de esconder esferas, em camundongos

Dolichandrone falcata Seem., Bignoniaceae, is a deciduous tree commonly known as Medshingi in local areas of Toranmal region of Maharashtra, India. Its bark paste is applied on fractured or dislocated bones, used as a fish poison; bark juice is used in cases of menorragia and leucorrhoea. The leaves of the plant have afforded chrysin-7-rutinoside. The present study was carried out to investigate the anxiolytic effects of methanol extract (DFBM), ethyl acetate extract (DFBEA) and isolated compound DFB (V+VI) of D. falcata stem-bark using animal models. Anxiolytic effects were studied by elevated plus maze (EPM) and marble burying test (MBT) assay. The crude dried DFBM and DFBEA extract was prepared in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg whereas DFB (V+VI) compound was prepared in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg and were administered orally to mice for evaluation of anxiolytic activity. DFBEA 400 and DFB (V+VI) 200 mg/kg produced highly significant (p <0.01) anxiolytic effects in dose dependent manner by increasing the time spent on and the number of entries into the open arms of the EPM and by decreasing the number of marbles buried by mice in MBT test. This study showed that the DFBM, DFBEA extracts and DFB (V+VI) isolated compound possesses potential pharmacological active constituents flavonoids (like chrysin) which may be responsible for the anxiolytic activity.

Dolichandrone falcata; Bignoniaceae; anxiolytic effect; benzodiazepine; Elevated plus maze; Marble burying; Diazepam; Fluoxetine


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