Anxiolytic activity of root extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum in mice

The present study was designed to investigate anti anxiety effects of alcoholic and aqueous root extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum in mice. Mice were treated with the alcoholic or aqueous extract (100 or 300 mg/kg p.o.) 1 hr before subjecting the animals to various anxiety models. Anti anxiety activity was evaluated using elevated plus maze (EPM), lightdark model (LDM) and open field test (OFT). In EPM, treatment with alcoholic and aqueous extracts increased the time spent in open arm and total locomotion time. In light dark model treatment with these extracts showed increase in time spent in light compartment and in Open field test treatment with these extracts increased the time spent in central compartment. These results suggest that alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum possess anti anxiety activity.