Evaluation of Antistress Potential of Piper betle Leaves on Experimental Mice.

Aim/Background: To evaluate the antistress (adaptogenic) potential and safety of the ethanolic extract of Piper betle leaves (PBLE) using validated behavioral models in mice. Methods: PBLE was prepared by maceration in 80% ethanol. Acute toxicity (limit test, 2000 mg/kg) and sub-acute (14-day) safety were performed. Antistress efficacy was evaluated using the Tail Suspension Test (TST), Forced Swim Test (FST), and Anoxia Stress Tolerance (AST) in Swiss albino mice (groups: control, diazepam 1 mg/kg, PBLE 200 mg/kg, PBLE 400 mg/kg; n=5). Phytochemical screening and TLC profiling were done. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p