Evaluation of Anxiolytic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Pueraria tuberosa in Prednisolone-Induced Anxiety Model in Mice

Abstract

: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent neuropsychiatric conditions, and conventional anxiolytic drugs are often associated with adverse effects such as sedation, dependence, and tolerance. This has increased the demand for safer herbal alternatives. The present study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of the ethanolic leaf extract of Pueraria tuberosa in a Prednisolone-induced anxiety model in Swiss albino mice.The leaves were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, and extracted using 95% ethanol by Soxhlet extraction. The extract was evaluated using behavioral models including the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Light–Dark Box (LDB), Open Field Test (OFT), and Tail Suspension Test (TST), with Diazepam as the standard drug. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test.Prednisolone induced significant anxiety-like behavior, while treatment with the extract produced a dose-dependent improvement in behavioral parameters. The higher dose (400 mg/kg) showed significant anxiolytic effects comparable to Diazepam in several tests. Histopathological studies also confirmed neuroprotective effects. The study concludes that Pueraria tuberosa possesses significant anxiolytic potential.