Pharmacopoeial standards and pharmacognostical studies of leaves of Citrus paradisi var

The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-anxiety activity and anti-depressant activity of various extracts viz petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water, of the leaves of Citrus paradisi var. duncan using elevated plus maze (EPM) model and forced swimming test (FST) respectively in swiss albino mice. Albino mice were treated with different doses of the extracts (i.e.100, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally) and behavior was observed on the EPM and FST. Results showed that methanol extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg of the leaves of Citrus paradisi var. duncan markedly increased the average time spent in the open arms in EPM and methanol extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the time spent immobile by mice in FST. These results provide support for the potential anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of Citrus paradisi var. duncan.