Anxiolytic effect of Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) in mice

Objective: To investigate the anxiolytic effect of Oxalis corniculata in mice was examined. Methods: The open field test, elevated plus maze test and anti-fighting test were used to assess the anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata. Diazepam 1 mg/kg served as a standard anxiolytic drug, administered intraperitoneally. Results: Ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata (100 and 300 mg/kg) produced a significant increase in the number of squares crossed (controls = 24.33±3.48), but significantly decreased both the immobility (controls = 47.17±4.29 sec) and fecal pellets (controls = 13.50±0.96 fecal pellets) when compared with control mice in the open-field test; they significantly increased the number of entries (controls = 53.00±2.67 sec) in the open arms, but decreased both the number of entries (controls = 29.33±1.05 entries) and time spent (controls = 166.7±4.30 sec) when compared with the control mice in the closed arms of the elevated plus-maze test. Furthermore, ethanol extract of Oxalis corniculata (100 and 300 mg/kg) decreased the fighting episodes significantly (controls = 9.50±0.62 fighting episodes) when compared with control mice. In addition these results were found to be consistent with anxiolytic effect produced by diazepam. Conclusions: The results of present study suggest that an ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata may possess anxiolytic activity and provide scientific evidence for its traditional claim.