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POSSIBLE  ANXIOLYTIC  PROFILE  OF  AQUEOUS FRUIT EXTRACTS OF A MEDICINAL PLANT SEA BUCKTHORN (HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES L. SPP. TURKESTANICA) IN EXPERIMENTAL MODELS

FARHAT BATOOL¹, ASAD HUSSAIN SHAH², SYED DILNAWAZ AHMED², ZAFAR SAEID SAIFY³ AND DARAKHSHAN JABEEN HALEEM¹

Abstract: The present study was designed to examine possible anxiolytic profile of aqueous fruit extracts of a medicinal plant Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. spp. Turkestanica) in experimental animal models. Sea buckthorn (SBT) is a very potent medicinal and multipurpose plant which has gained global significance due to its biochemical and nutritional utility in folk medicine. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine with CNS depressant properties and a sedative-hypnotic drug traditionally used to treat anxiety. Animal models for anxiety-related behavior are based on the assumption that anxiety in animals is comparable to anxiety in humans. To unravel neurobiological mechanisms underlying normal anxiety as well as its pathological variations, animal models are indispensable tools. In this investigation rats were treated with the aqueous fruit extracts of Sea buckthorn (SBT-FE) (20 and 40 mg/kg P.O.) and diazepam at doses of 3.0mg/kg I.P. 1 hr before introducing the groups of animals to various experimental models of anxiety. Anti anxiety activity was evaluated using elevated plus maze (EPM), light-dark model (LDM) and open field test (OFT). Results revealed that in elevated plus maze, treatment with aqueous extracts of SBT-FE increased the time spent in open arm and total locomotion time in aversive environment. In light-dark model treatment with these extracts showed significant (p<0.01) increases in time spent in lit-box and in open field test treatment with SBT-FE exhibited significant increases in the exploratory activity and latency time as compared to controls. The results indicate that aqueous SBT-FE is an effective anxiolytic agent and could be useful in primary medical care.

¹Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory,

Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270. Pakistan,

²Department of Plant Breeding and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan,

³International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, H.E.J. Research

Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi.