Evaluation of Herbal Extract of Gentiana diffusa for Antianxiety Activity

The present study was designed to authenticate the anti-anxiety activity (by using elevated plus maze model) of methanolic extract of the leaves of Gentiana diffusa. by authors Swiss Albino mice were treated with different doses of the leaf extracts (200 mg / kg p.o.) and Diazepam (2mg/ kg, p.o) was used as a positive control. Results of study show that methanolic extract in higher doses (200 mg/kg) possesses marked anti-anxiety activity and was comparable to the effect produced by diazepam. The plant can be developed as a commercial source of anxiolytic agent. Further studies are in process to isolate the active constituent responsible for this activity and mechanism of action. Keywords: Leaves, Methanol, Anxiety, Diazepam