Anxiolytic Potentials of Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit) in Swiss Mice

Abstract

Artocarpus altilis, commonly known as bread fruit, is a plant known for its various therapeutic activities including antibacterial, antitumor, antimicrobial, pains. Moreover, folklore has it that the plant concoction is taken to alleviate mood swing. However, no work has been reported on its anti-anxiety properties. Therefore, anxiety-like effects of Artocarpus altilis was evaluated in mice. The air-dried leaf of Artocarpus altilis pulverized and macerated in methanol for 72 hours and was filtered to obtain the crude methanol extract. The anxiolytic-like effect of MEAA was investigated using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Elevated Zero Maze (EZM) and Light-Dark Test (LDT). The extract was administered orally to the animals. Artocarpus altilis showed anxiolytic-like effect in mice, 200 mg/kg were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the control by the time spent in the open arms in elevated plus maze and elevated zero maze, and 100 mg/kg and 200mg/kg were significantly different (p<0.05) in time spent in light chamber in the light-dark test. In conclusion, Artocarpus altilis may possess anxiolytic-like properties.