Attenuation of anxiety on acute administration of aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica fruit pulp in Swiss albino mice

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the attenuation of anxiety on acute administration of aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica fruit pulp (AETBFP) by using elevated plus maze test and dark and light arena models.Methods: Thirty Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups, Group I received vehicle (1% Gum acacia suspension, 3ml/kg, orally), Group II received standard drug Diazepam (1mg/kg, orally) and Group III, IV and V received AETBFP 9, 18 and 36 mg/kg, orally respectively. In elevated plus maze test, the mouse was placed on the central platform facing towards open arm. The percentage of time spent and frequency of entries and number of rears in open arm was counted for a period of 5 min. In dark and light arena, the time spent, number of entries and number of rears in light arena was counted for a period of 5 min. The mean±SEM values were calculated for each group. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison tests; p< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Significant (p<0.05) reduction in anxiety was noted in experimental animals when given at a dose of AETBFP (36mg/kg), where number of entries and duration of stay in open arm and light arena increased in elevated plus maze and light and dark arena respectively when compared with control animals.Conclusions: Our study reveals that AETBFP at a dose of 36mg/kg has significant attenuation of anxiety in Swiss albino mice