It is the displeasing feeling of fear and concern. The root meaning of the word anxiety is ‘to vex or trouble’; anxiety may create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness, and dread. 2 GABA (γ amino butyric acid) an inhibitory neurotransmitter, reduces the reactivity of central nervous system (CNS).

Low levels of GABA, noradrenaline and serotonin lead to anxiety. 2 and 3 Previous studies have shown CNS depressant activity of petroleum ether extract of A. paeoniifolius tuber (300 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) and its synergistic depressant activity in combination with diazepam & phenobarbitone in mice. 4 and 5 Here we show that at lower doses petroleum ether extract of A. paeoniifolius tuber may reduce anxiety in mice. Fresh tuber of the plant A. paeoniifolius (2 kg) was collected from local market of Asansol, West Bengal and authenticated at Botanical Garden, Botanical Survey mTOR inhibitor of

India, Howrah, West Bengal, India & the Specimen number is CNH/35/2012/Tech.II/711. The rhizome (tuber) of the plant was washed & cut into pieces and subjected RG7204 to shed dried. Then the powder of the tuber has been extracted by using cold maceration process. Before the use, the extract was dissolved in corn oil for oral administration. Swiss Modulators Albino male mice (18–25 g) were used for the study. The animals were housed in colony cages and maintained under standard environmental conditions: 25 ± 2 °C, 12:12 h light: dark cycle, and 45–55% relative humidity, with free access to food and water ad libitum. The animals were fasted overnight and during the experiment. All experiments were carried out during the life period (08.00–16.00 h). The Institutional Animal Ethical committee approved the protocol for the study. Diazepam [Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.] was used as the standard anxiolytic agent. Petroleum ether [Merck] (60–80 °C).

Corn oil [Zhengzhou Whirlston Trade Co. Ltd] was used as vehicle. The animals were divided into five groups, with six animals in each group. Group 1: Corn oil by oral route The alcoholic extract of A. paeoniifolius Fossariinae was administered to the animals in the doses of 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg, orally to different groups of mice with ten animals in each group and any mortality was observed for 7 days. Acute study was carried out as per the OECD 425 year 2008 guidelines. Before testing for anxiolytic activity of compounds, animals are usually subjected to anxiety using restraint stress.6 Hence for our study animals were placed into plexiglass restrainers (INCO Ambala) for 24 h, at room temperature. After 24 h of inducing stress the experiments were performed. Animals (mice) were treated with A. paeoniifolius (100, 150, 200 mg/kg; oral), diazepam (0.5 mg/kg; IP) and vehicle based on respective groups, 30 min before being placed individually in the centre of the EPM, head facing towards the open arm.