Anti-anxiety Activity of Citrus paradisi var

Citrus paradisi has been used traditionally to reduce stress and anxiety; however no pharmacological work has been done to substantiate these claims. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-anxiety activity of various extracts viz petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water, of the leaves of Citrus paradisi var. star ruby using elevated plus maze (EPM) model in Swiss albino mice. Albino mice were treated orally with different doses of the extracts (i.e.100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and behavior was observed on the EPM. Diazepam (2mg/kg, P.O) was used as a positive control. Results show that methanol extract at the dose of 100mg/kg of the leaves of Citrus paradisi var. star ruby markedly increased the average time spent in the open arms of the EPM. This effect was comparable to the effect produced by diazepam. Hence this plant may be developed as a potentially useful anti anxiety agent.