Anxiolytic activity of aerial part of Mercurialis annua aqueous extract in mice using light/dark and hole board tests

Abstract

The present study was designed to study anxiolytic property of aqueous extracts of Mercurialis annua, an important and commonly used medicinal plant for its medicinal properties. The anxiolytic activity was evaluated in adult mice by hole board test and light/dark box test and motor coordination by rotarod test. The efficacy of the plant extract (100 - 600 mg/kg) was compared with the standard anxiolytic drug diazepam (1 mg/kg). The extract increased the time spent in the brightly lit chamber of the light/dark box, as well as in the number of times the animal crossed from one compartment to the other. Performance on the rotarod was unaffected. In the hole board test, the extract significantly increased head dip counts. Mercurialis annua, in contrast to diazepam, had no effect on locomotion. These results provide support for anxiolytic activity of Mercurialis annua, in line with its traditional medical use, and may also suggest a better side effect profile of Mercurialis annua relative to diazepam.