Anti-stress anxiolytic and nootropic activity of Nyctanthes arbour tritis leaves

Reports suggest that stress is the most common etiological factor in CNS disorders like anxiety, Schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer disease for which effective treatment strategies are inadequate due to complexities of the ailment and the limitations of allopathic medications. There are scanty reports¹ on the putative neuro pharmacological effects of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor tristis Linn. (Family: Oleaceae) [NAT]; hence the present work investigated gamut of its neuro-pharmacological effects. The methanolic extract was evaluated for anxiolytic activity using plus maze model, open field test and light dark model. Further, the nootropic potential² of extract was evaluated using Morris water maze test and plus maze model. Antistress potential³ was evaluated in Wistar rats by subjecting the animals to chronic cold restraint stress followed by biochemical estimation of plasma corticosterone, glucose, triglycerides; dopamine, 5-Hydroxy Tryptamine and nor epinephrine from brain. Diazepam 1mg/kg was used as a positive control. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test was applied for statistical significance. Pretreatment with NAT extract resulted in preference to open arm in plus maze test, increased exploratory behavior in open field test and increased number of crossings in light dark model. Further it improved cognitive function with respect to spatial and working memory processes. The treatment with NAT extract ameliorated the stress-induced variations in the biochemical levels of corticosterone, glucose, triglycerides; dopamine, 5-HT and nor epinephrine. In conclusion, the NAT extract exhibited anxiolytic, antistress and nootropic activity with utility in oxidative cognitive impairment due to its antioxidant potential.

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