Anxiolytic Potential of Methanol Extract from Ageratum conyzoides Linn Leaves

Objective: Ageratum conyzoides Linn. (Asteraceae) has been widely used in African traditional medicine for healing mental and infectious diseases. The present study was designed to scientifically validate the traditional claim of A. conzyoides as anti-anxiety drug and to identify the compound responsible for the anxiolytic effects of A. conzyoides. Method: The methanol extract of A. conzyoides was prepared by soxhlet apparatus. The methanol extract was fractionated into ethylacetate and butanol fractions by liquid-liquid partitioning method. Methanol extract (100 and 200 mg/kg; p.o.) and its prepared fractions (25 and 50 mg/kg; p.o.) were evaluated for anxiolytic activity in mice by using elevated plus maze (EPM) model. Thin layer chromatography studies were performed to identify the possible anxiolytic component. Results: Methanol extract at both doses showed significant, when compared to vehicle control group, increase in time spent and number of entries in open arms of EPM confirming the anti-anxiety effects of A. conzyoides. Liquid-liquid partitioning of methanol extract gave two fractions (ethylacetate and butanol) which were administrated at 25 and 50 mg/kg doses to mice in EPM, respectively. Results showed that ethylacetate fraction was responsible for anxiolytic effects of methanol extract of A. conzyoides. The TLC studies were carried out for ethylacetate fraction and Quercetin was identified by comparing Rf values with the standard (Quercetin). Conclusion: The present investigation revealed that the extract has significant anxiolytic effect. The flavonoid quercetin may be responsible for the observed anxiolytic effects of A. conyzoides.