TITLE:
Evaluation of Anxiolytic and Sedative-Like Activities of Methanolic Extract of Euphorbia hirta Leaves in Mice
AUTHORS:
S. M. Mushiur Rahman, Sohel Rana, Md. Nahinul Islam, Alok Kumer, Md. Mehedi Hassan, Tonmoy Kumar Biswas, Md. Atikullah
KEYWORDS:
Euphorbia hirta, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Elevated Plus Maze, Hole Board, Hole Cross
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
17,
2019
ABSTRACT: In indigenous or folk medicine, Euphorbia hirta is a very popular herb and used as a palliative to treat
various ailments including intestinal parasites, diarrhoea, vomiting, amoebic dysentery, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, coughs, kidney stones, menstrual problems etc. The objective of this study is
to evaluate the anxiolytic and sedative-like effects of the methanol extract
from the leaves of Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae). Methanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta was evaluated for its CNS depression effect using
mice behavioral models such as, elevated plus maze and hole board test for its
anxiolytic potential where hole cross and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time
tests were performed for its sedative properties, respectively. The test group
received three different doses of the MEHL (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg)
orally. The positive control group received diazepam (1 mg/kg) orally where the
negative control group received distilled water (10 ml/kg) orally. In elevated
plus maze test, the extract exhibited significant (p d the number of open
arm entry and time spent in open arm by mice compared to control group. In
addition, the number of head dips and hole crosses significantly (p Euphorbia
hirta has potential anxiolytic and sedative-like activity in the animal behavioral
models. And the findings represent a rational explanation for its use in
traditional medicine for the management of neurological disorder.