open field test.

Mucuna pruriens commonly known as cowhage plant has been claimed to possess various beneficial effects like anti-parkinsonian, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and antidepressant activities. Previous studies have reported that Mucuna pruriens contains L-DOPA and 5-hydroxy tryptophan (5-HT) as a major constituent with higher concentration in seeds. However, literature search revealed no scientific data on its anxiolytic activity. So the present study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of Mucuna pruriens in a murine model. Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups (n=6). Mucuna pruriens administered at doses of 250,500,750mg/kg/day orally, was compared with the standard drug Diazepam (1.0mg/kg/day, oral) fed for 14 days. Three pharmacologically validated models elevated plus maze, bright and dark arena and open field test were used. The data presented was analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test. A value of p