76 www.phcogcommn.org Research Article © Copyright 2015 EManuscript Services, India Pharmacognosy Communications Volume 5 | Issue 1 | Jan-Mar 2015 ABSTRACT Context: Cassia fistula L. (Leguminacea) is used by Indian and Tanzanian traditional healers for treating various ailments related to the central nervous system. Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activity of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from a hydroalcoholic extraction of Cassia fistula pods (EAFCF) and thereby to provide scientific validation for its traditional use. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical analysis and estimation of the flavonoid content of the ethyl acetate fraction was performed. Anticonvulsant activity was assessed by the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole test (s.c. PTZ test). Anxiolytic activity was assessed by elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field tests (OFT). The sedative and motor toxicity was evaluated by a phenobarbitone induced sleep test and rotarod behavior respectively. Results: Photochemical analysis revealed the presence of a high flavanoid content in the ethyl acetate fraction. Treatment of EAFCF (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly increased the latency to the onset of minimal clonic seizure and generalized tonic clonic seizure and animals were completely protected from death due to PTZ administration. Administration of EAFCF at the dose of 100 mg/kg markedly increased the open arm entries and time spent in open arm in EPM. In OFT, EAFCF increased the number of central squares crossed and time spent in the central compartment. EAFCF in the doses used in this experiment did not produce sedation or motor toxicity. Conclusion: The results obtained herein clearly indicate the anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activity of EAFCF which may be due to the high flavonoid content. These findings give the scientific support for common use of this plant for treating epilepsy and anxiety. Key words: Pentylenetetrazole, elevated plus maze, thigmotaxic behaviour, flavonoid content estimation, Cassia fistula, neurobehavioral profile. Anticonvulsant and anxiolyic activities of ethyl acetate fraction of Cassia fistula Linn. pods in mice Chinnasamy Kalaiyarasi a , Kalivaradhan Karthika a , Govindharaj Ragupathi a . a Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. b Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, The Erode College of Pharmacy, Erode, Tamilnadu, India. INTRODUCTION Epilepsy and anxiety are the two most common co-mor- bid conditions. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder charac- terized by frequent occurrence of seizure due to abnormal discharge of group of cortical neurons. 1 Anxiety, on the other hand, is a psychological disorder generally affecting the mood and causing irrational fear as one of the most prominent symptoms. 2 The demand for traditional and Corresponding Address Sampath Saravanan Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, The Erode College of Pharmacy, Erode, Tamilnadu. India., Erode-India E Mail: saravecp@yahoo.co.in DoI : 10.5530/pc.2015.1.8 complementary medicine has been increasing worldwide. Moreover, native healers remain the sole or main health providers for millions of people living in rural areas of some developing countries. Use of herbal remedies for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) ailments such as anxiety, depression, epilepsy and sleep disorders has long been practiced. 3 Plant extracts that can suppress the occurrence of seizure and that possess anxiolytic activity would provide an alternative and complementary therapy for treating epilepsy and associated anxiety. Cassia fstula L. (commonly known as Indian laburnum) belongs to the family Leguminacea. It has been used in folk medicine to cure burns, constipation, convulsion, depression, dysurea, worm infestation etc. 4 Several phar- macological activities of cassia fstula L. including antioxi-