Evaluation of anti-anxiety activity of Melissa parviflora (Benth.) in rats
Abstract
Objective: Melissa parviflora Benth. (Family: Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used as a tranquillizer, relaxants, nervine and sleeping aids throughout the world. The plant is reported to relieve tension and stress reactions, and widely valued for its calming properties. Despite a long tradition of uses, no scientific pharmacological work has ever been carried out on this potential plant. Therefore, the present study was design to evaluate anti-anxiety activity of M. parviflora in rats. Various extracts viz. petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous were prepared by successive soxhlet extraction method. Anxiolytic activity of various extracts of the plant was evaluated using elevated plus-maze apparatus and light and dark test model of anxiety in Wistar rats of either sex. The bioactive extract was standardized on the basis of total phenolic and flavonoid content estimation using colorimetric method. Results showed that only methanol extract of M. parviflora exhibited significant anxiolytic activity (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) using elevated plus maze test and light and dark test models of anxiety with respect to vehicle treated control and diazepam (2 mg/kg, p.o.) as positive control. The total phenolic and flavonoid content in the bioactive methanol extract was estimated to be 15.21 ± 0.72 mg gallic acid equivalents, and 8.06 ± 0.58 mg rutin equivalents per gram of the extract, respectively. The present study leads to the conclusion that methanol extract of the plant showed predominantly anxiolytic activity. Therefore, M. parviflora could serve as a new approach for the treatment of CNS disorders like anxiety.
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