Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Tinospora cordifolia Linn. Tinospora cordifolia, the versatile herbal drug is the distinctive source of constituents which is having antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitoxic and anticancer activity. Methods: Leaves of Tinospora cordifolia was collected, dried and powdered used for 7 days cold maceration process. Ethanolic extract was subjected to the preliminary phytochemical screening to analyse the presence of active constituents. At a dose of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg body weight of animal was evaluated for antianxiety activity in mice using 3 experimental designs; elevated plus maze, open filed, light/dark transition model. Test group animals were compared with group of animal treated with diazepam (1mg/kg) as standard drug. Ethanolic extract at 100, 200, and 400mg/kg showed activity in dose dependent manner and at a dose of 400mg/kg showed significant increase; in elevated plus maze, number of entries in open arm and time spent in open arm; number of entries into light chamber and time spent in light chamber in light and dark transition model and in open field; number of square crossed, number of rearing and time spent in central square. Results: The results supported traditional use of Tinospora cordifolia in nervous disorders. Conclusion: Study concluded that ethanolic extract of leaves of Tinospora cordifolia at a dose of 400mg/kg has significant antianxiety activity.
Key words: Anti-anxiety activity, Diazepam, Elevated plus maze, Light and dark model, Open field Tinospora cordifolia Linn.
