Anti-Anxiety Behavioral Evaluation of Annona Muricata L. Phenolic Extracts Using Light-Dark Box

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition, and they refer to a group of conditions in which extreme or pathological anxiety is the primary disturbance of mood or emotional tone, and are usually linked to a higher risk of substance abuse. Etiology of anxiety encompasses stress, environmental factors, physical and genetic conditions. It is equated with restlessness, fatigue, increased heart rate, palpitations, nausea, hyperventilation, agitation, etc. Symptoms prompted by anxiety may be due to the disrupted modulation within the central nervous system. Studies believe that a low serotonin and an elevated noradrenergic level activity are accountable for the development of the disease. An increase or decrease in levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a significant role as the mediators for anxiety in the central nervous system. Benzodiazepines are administered to individuals in order to alleviate stress and anxiety. However, concerns have arisen about the dependence and addictive nature of this drug. Unwanted side effects in administering benzodiazepines including transient drowsiness, loss of orientation, irritability, confusion, etc still persist. Annona muricata L. are utilized in tropical regions as a way of treating many medical diseases as it comprises more than 200 compounds, with the most significant being phenols and alkaloids. Studies show both crude extracts and phytochemicals of A. muricata have shown to possess both anxiolytic and anti-stress effects. The main focus on extracting and developing treatment with A. muricata is due to the promising results, less toxicity and side effects produced. In this experiment we evaluated the anxiolytic effects of phenolic extract of A. muricata L. by assessing mice behavioral changes using light-dark box (LDB).