Anxiolytic Effect of Aqueous Root Extract of Citrus aurantium in Wistar Albino Rats
Muhammad Bawa Yusuf *
Department of Biochemistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt and Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
Balaraba Bello
Department of Biochemistry, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
I. J. Jaafaru
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Anxiety is a very common mental disorder among neurological disorders. Citrus aurantium decoction has been used to treat anxiety- like behaviour, by traditional medicine practitioners in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous root extract of C. aurantium AECA (50-200 mg/kg, p.o.), diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.), and normal saline 10 ml/kg on anxiety-like behaviour, spontaneous alternation behaviour. Locomotor and exploratory activity were evaluated in rats on hole-board, elevated plus maze (EPM), elevated zero maze (EZM), Y-maze, and open field apparatus, respectively. The results showed that AECA significantly (p< 0.05-0.001) and increased time spent on hole-board, open arm of elevated plus maze, EPM and open arm of elevated zero maze, EZM. The administration of AECA produced dose-dependent and significant (p< 0.05-0.001) increase in spontaneous alternation behaviour in rats. Locomotor and exploratory behaviour was significantly (p< 0.05-0.001) increased in the open field apparatus.
The present results provide evidence for anxiolytic effects of the AECA, hence may be developed as a safe alternative for continuous use in the therapeutic management of neurological disorders characterized by anxiety and amnesia.
Keywords: Anxiety, Citrus aurantium, spontaneous, alternation, behaviour, anxiolytic