Effect of roots of Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) on stress and anxiety in animal models

The anti-stress activity of aqueous extract of Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg) was evaluated using chronic cold restraint stress model in Wistar rats. Standard behavioural paradigms such as elevated plus maze model and light-dark model were employed to study the anxiolytic potential of the test extract in Swiss Albino mice. Stimulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in stressful condition alters biochemical levels like plasma corticosterone, glucose, proteins, triglyceride, and cholesterol and affects adrenal gland and spleen weights. Pretreatment with test extract at all doses ameliorated these stress-induced biochemical and physiological perturbations in chronic stress model, suggesting its anti-stress potential. Further, the extract at all doses increased the time spent in open arm and lit zone in elevated plus maze and light-dark model respectively, giving an indication of its anxiolytic activity. The promising effects of T. indica extract observed in anti-stress and anxiolytic activities were comparable to reference drug, diazepam.