EVALUATION OF ANTIANXIETY ACTIVITY OF MIMOSA PUDICA

The objective of present research work is evaluation of anti-anxiety activity of methanolic extract of Mimosa Pudica was evaluated employing a widely used model, elevated plus-maze. The model was selected as it is effective, cheap, and simple, less time overriding, requires no beginning training to the mice and does not cause much discomfort to the animals while handling. The model is mainly based on the observations that the revelation of animals to an eminent and open maze results in move toward–avoidance disagreement which is manifested as an exploratory-cum-fear drive. The fear due to height (acrophobia) induces anxiety in the animals when placed on the elevated plus-maze. The ultimate manifestation of anxiety and fear in the animals is exhibited by decrease in motor activity, which is measured by the time spent by the animal in the open arms. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and even slight deficiencies in GABA ergic transmission may lead to hyper excitability and pathological neuronal discharges leading to epilepsy.

Keywords: Epilepsy, alkaloids, desiccators, antianxiety, phytochemical screening