Anxiolytic Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Ficus benghalensis L and Morinda lucida Benth Leaves in Mice

Anxiolytic Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Ficus benghalensis L and Morinda lucida Benth Leaves in Mice

Muritala Adebayo, Michael Tosin Sobowale, Rita Onyekachukwu Asomadu, Felix Onomeh, Halimah Muhammad, Nkechi Roseline Uba

 

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.
  2. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo state,Nigeria.
  3. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  4. Department of Biological Sciences, Plant Science and Biotechnology unit, University of Delta Agbor

 

Key words:

Ficus benghalensis, Morinda lucida, Anxiolytic activities, Phytochemical Constituent

 

 

 

 

*Corresponding author:

sobowale.tosin@iuokada.edu.ng;
DOI:https://doi.org/10.61594/tnpr.v6i3.2025.138

Page No: 241-247
Volume: 6, Issue 3, 2025
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent neuropsychiatric conditions globally and are often managed using benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are associated with side effects and dependency risks.
Ficus benghalensis and Morinda lucida are medicinal plants used in folk medicine to manage anxiety disorders. This study
evaluated the anxiolytic properties of ethanol extracts of Ficus benghalensis and Morinda lucida leaves in mice. The extracts
were subjected to phytochemical analysis using standard methods. The anxiolytic potential of the extracts was evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM). The parameters monitored were the frequency of open arm entries, time spent in the open arm, and activity index (AI). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, and phenols in the ethanol leaf extracts of F. benghalensis and M. lucida. The extracts significantly (P < 0.05) increased both the frequency of entries and time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze (EPM) at 200 and 400 mg/kg compared to the control group.