Theophilus Uyiosa Ogieva

Anxiety disorders are prevalent globally and the limitations in current treatments necessitate the exploration of ethnomedicinal plants. This study evaluated the putative anxiolytic-like potential of methanol leaf extracts of Ficus iteophylla (MEFI) and Tamarindus indica (METI) in mice, based on their traditional uses in Nigeria for neurobehavioural conditions. Qualitative phytochemical screening and oral acute toxicity in mice were conducted on the extract. For each extract, mice were randomly allotted to groups (n=4): group 1 (negative control, given oral 1% Tween 80), groups 2, 3, 4 (extract-treated with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o.), and group 5 (given 0.5 mg/kg of diazepam, i.p.). The animals were subjected to the hole- board test (HBT) and elevated plus maze (EPM). Groups of mice given 0.2 ml/day, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day of the extract for 14 consecutive days. After the last dose on the 14th day, their brains were for the assay of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (Gr), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.