EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON SWISS WHITE MICE TO EVALUATE THE ANTIANXIETY EFFECT OF COMMON WILD FIG EXTRACT (FICUS THONNINGII)

Aduema Wadioni*, Akunneh-Wariso C., Vidona W. B. and Ejiofo D. C.

ABSTRACT

Since prehistoric times, man has relied on herbal plants as source of medicine in curing various ailments. This study was carried out to assess the anti- anxiety-like effect of the ethanol extract of Wild fig (Ficus thonningii) in Swiss white (CD-1) mice. Thirty Swiss mice were randomly divided into three groups (1-3), n=10). Group 1 (control) was administered normal rat fed and saline, while group 2(low dose) and group 3(high dose) were administered 10mg/kg w/w and 20mg/kg w/w of the plant extract. The Elevated plus Maze (EPM) was used to assess anxiety related behaviors. Data were analyzed using the statistical tools (one way ANOVA and student t’ test. Results revealed anxiety like behavior in the low and high dose treated mice when compared to the control. Therefore, administration Ficus thonningii reduced anxiety like behavior in mice.

Keywords: Ficus thonningii, Elevated plus Maze, anxiety, mice.