ANXIOLYTIC PROPERTIES OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT AND RESIDUALAQUEOUS FRACTION OF ROTHMANNIA LONGIFLORA FOLLOWING CHRONICCONSTRICTION INJURY-INDUCED NEUROPATHIC PAIN IN RATS

Abstract

Rothmannia longiflora leaf is used in the management of pain and inflammation in African traditional medicine.
Previous studies demonstrated its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties but there are no documented reports on
the anxiolytic properties of Rothmannia longiflora. The aim of this study is to investigate the anxiolytic properties of
the ethanol leaf extract of Rothmannia longiflora and its aqueous fraction following chronic constriction injuryinduced neuropathic pain in rats. The anxiolytic potentials of ethanol leaf extract of Rothmannia longiflora and its
residual aqueous fraction at 500 and 1000 mg/kg (p.o) were investigated using anxiety open field model (OF) and
elevated plus maze (EPM) test. The negative control received Distilled water 1 mL/kg while the positive control
received Minocycline 30 mg/kg. The ethanol extract of Rothmannia longiflora (EERL) significantly (p <0.05)
increased the time spent by the rats in central square and decreased the number of stretch attend posture significantly
(p <0.05) compared to the negative control. Similarly, the rats that received residual aqueous fraction and the
minocycline showed reduced number of stretch attend posture significantly (p <0.05) compared to the negative
control in OF model. The EERL significantly (p <0.05) increased the number of entries of the rats into the open arm,
the time spent in open arm, and the time spent in central square compared to the negative control in EPM model.
EERL and residual aqueous fraction were found to exhibit anxiolytic properties following chronic constriction
injury-induced neuropathic pain in rats.