ISSN: 2320-480X
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The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2014;3(6):400-404 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2014.3605

Research Article

Exploratory and anxiety potentials of aqueous extract of Phragmanthera capitata

Lapah Pièrre Takem1 , Grace A. Eshiet1 , Ogbeihe Geraldine Ogom1 , Uket Uket Mbang1

1. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract


Aim: To evaluate the exploratory and anxiety potentials of aqueous extract of Phragmanthera capitata (AEPC) in Wistar rats using hole-board paradigm. Materials and Methods: Healthy rats were randomized into 5 groups. Group I (control) received 10 ml/kg saline, Group II (standard) received 0.2 mg/kg Diazepam, Groups III-V (tests) received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg AEPC respectively. Changes in the emotional state of rats were assessed through changes in exploratory activities. Hole exploration consisted of point-sniff, circular-sniff and central sniff while inside hole exploration consisted of staticdip, rapid-dip and active-dip. Latency of the first head-dipping, number and duration of rearing, number of crossing from one compartment to another were also evaluated. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the test used as post hoc. Results: In head dipping, there was a significant increase for 200 and 400 mg/kg AEPC as compared to control. In sniffing, 200 and 400 mg/kg AEPC also showed significant increase in point sniffing and central sniffing respectively. Rearing, duration and mean number of crossing were significantly decreased by 400 mg/kg AEPC. Latency of the first headdipping was significantly decreased by 400 mg/kg AEPC. Conclusion: The results suggest that Phragmanthera capitata has bioactive molecules that act in the central nervous system to lower anxiety.

Keywords


Phragmanthera capitata, Exploratory, Anxiety, Hole-board, Dipping, Sniffing.

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This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Copyright © 2014 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.

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