EVALUATION OF ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF OCIMUM SANCTUM (TULSI) LEAF IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS AFTER SUB-ACUTE ADMINISTRATION

Sumina S., Kingshuk Lahon*, Johan Pandian, Manimekalai K.

ABSTRACT

Background: Drugs for anxiety have adverse effects causing decreased compliance with treatment. Hence there is potential for plant based alternatives with fewer adverse effects which are used in traditional medicine, like Ocimum sanctum. Aim: To evaluate the anxiolytic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum after subacute administration. Materials and Methods: 24 wistar albino rats of either sex were divided randomly into four groups (n=6) and administered normal saline, Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract (OSEE), Alprazolam and OSEE + half dose Alprazolam respectively for 30 days. Elevated plus maze and Light and Dark Arena tests for anxiety were carried out on days 1, 7, 15 and 30. Results were expressed as Mean ± SEM. One way ANOVA (P<0.05 regarded as significant at 95% Confidence Interval), followed by Tukey’s post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Animals receiving OSEE and OSEE + half dose alprazolam demonstrated significant anxiolytic effect by increasing the time spent in open arms/ light area and the number of entries in open arms/ light area in the Elevated Plus Maze model and Light and Dark arena model respectively. The combination showed anxiolytic effect which was comparable to that of full dose of alprazolam/fluoxetine. Conclusion: OSEE alone and its combination with half dose standard drug alprazolam showed significant anxiolytic activity with the combination showing activity comparable to that of full dose standard drug.

Keywords: Sub-acute, Anxiolytic, Ocimum sanctum, Albino Rats.