J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2016; aop Donatus Wewura Adongo*, Priscilla Kolibea Mante, Kennedy Kwami Edem Kukuia, Elvis Ofori Ameyaw, Eric Woode and Iliya Hosea Azi Anxiolytic-like effect of the leaves of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl. in mice DOI 10.1515/jbcpp-2015-0067 Received June 10, 2015; accepted March 24, 2016 Abstract Background: Pseudospondias microcarpa is a plant used for managing various diseases including CNS disorders. Previous studies showed sedative and anticonvulsant effects, suggesting possible anxiolytic activity. This study therefore assessed the anxiolytic effects of P. microcarpa hydroethanolic leaf extract (PME) in mice. Methods: In the present study, anxiolytic-like effect of the extract in behavioural paradigms of anxiety – the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark box (LDB), social interac- tion test and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) – was evaluated. Results: Mice treated with PME (30–300 mg kg −1 , p.o.) exhibited anxiolytic-like activity similar to diazepam in all the anxiety models used. The extract increased open arm activity (p  < 0.05) in the EPM as well as increasing the time spent in the lit area in relation to the time spent in the dark area of the LDB. Sociability and preference for social novelty significantly (p  < 0.05–0.001) increased in mice treated with PME. In the SIH paradigm in mice, both PME and the benzodiazepine receptor agonist, diazepam, significantly (p  < 0.05) reduced the stress- induced increase in rectal temperature. The extract did not impair motor coordination and balance in the beam walk test. Conclusions: Results of the present study indicate that PME possesses anxiolytic-like effects in mice. Keywords: anxiolytic; elevated plus maze (EPM); Pseu- dospondias microcarpa; stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH). Introduction Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent class of psychiat- ric conditions in the world [1, 2]. Benzodiazepines (BDZs) have been widely used for the treatment of several anxiety disorders, although these compounds have well-known side effects such as sedation, muscle relaxation, amnesia, tolerance and dependence [3–5]. Thus, it is important to explore and develop new therapies for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Various medicinal plants including Passiflora incarnata L., Valeriana officinalis L. and Piper methysticum (kava-kava) have been used as anxiolytic agents worldwide [6]. Therefore, the study of medicinal plants could provide new therapeutic options for the man- agement of anxiety disorders [7]. Pseudospondias microcarpa is one of such plants used for managing various diseases including central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In Ghana it is locally known as katawani (Twi) literally meaning ‘close your eyes’ because the tree supposedly has a sedative effect on those who sit or sleep under it. The plant is therefore used in Ghana as a sedative and for treatment of general CNS disorders [8]. Other medicinal uses of the bark and leaves are treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, eye problems, kidney disorders, naso-pharyngeal infections, stomach complaints, malaria and jaundice [8]. Presence of saponins, phenols, terpe- noids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and coumarines in *Corresponding author: Donatus Wewura Adongo, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, Phone: +233243191409, E-mail: donatusadongo@yahoo.com Priscilla Kolibea Mante and Eric Woode: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Kennedy Kwami Edem Kukuia: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ghana School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2948-9615 Elvis Ofori Ameyaw: Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, School of Biological Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana Iliya Hosea Azi: Department of Pharmacology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria Unauthenticated Download Date | 4/29/16 4:46 PM