Anxiety-relieving plants extract: A pharmacological evaluation in animals through use of locomotive and behavioural experiment

Introduction: Excessive dread and behavioural problems are hallmarks of anxiety disorders, which are common mental health illnesses. There is a lack of research on the pharmacological validation of traditional herbal medicines for anxiety management, despite their apparent promise.Materials and Methods: The powdered material was extracted using ethanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was evaluated for anxiolytic activity using preclinical behavioral models in mice. Animals were divided into five groups (n = 6). Group I served as the negative control, Group II received diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.), and Groups III–V received the herbal extract orally at different doses. Anxiety-related behavior was assessed using the IR Actimeter and the Open Field Test.Results: Compared to the positive control group, the negative control group spent less time in the central square, crossed more lines, and had higher counts of locomotion. Counts were lower, fewer lines were crossed, and centre square activity was higher in mice treated with diazepam. Consistent with diazepam’s anxiolytic effects, the herbal extract group also had comparable outcomes.Conclusion: The herbal extract showed strong sedative effects in all animal models, on par with diazepam. The results show that it might be a beneficial option for those looking for a natural way to manage anxiety.