Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Argyreia speciosa Roots against Experimentally-induced Anxiety, Depression and Convulsions in Rodents

Argyreia speciosa (Convolvulaceae) is regarded as a ‘Rasayan’ drug in the Ayurveda system of medicine to cure diseases of the nervous system. This work researched the action of the hydroalcoholic extract of A. speciosa root (ASE) on experimentally-induced anxiety, depression and convulsion in rodents. ASE (100, 200, 500 mg/kg, p.o.) was tested for the elevated plus maze, open field, forced swimming and tail suspension tests in mice. ASE at the same doses was also tested for its anticonvulsant activity by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in mice and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced convulsions in rats. ASE at the tested doses did not cause a significant increase in the open arm entries and time spent in the open arms indicating the absence of an anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus maze test. However, the total number of entries in the open and enclosed arms was reduced indicating a reduction of locomotor activity in the elevated plus maze test. ASE did not affect the emotional activity parameters in the open field test significantly. ASE also decreased locomotor activity in the open field test suggesting a possible central depressant action. In addition, ASE increased the immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests, which further confirmed a probable central depressant effect. ASE protected rats against maximal electroshock-induced convulsions and mice against PTZ-induced convulsions indicating an anticonvulsant action. The results of the study suggest that the hydroalcoholic extract of A. speciosa roots contained phytochemically active ingredients with central nervous depressant and anticonvulsant effects. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________