Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Anxiety disorders are a serious threat to public health, affecting a major section of the world's population. Although effective treatments exist, only a fraction of people with anxiety disorders receive treatment due to barriers such as lack of awareness, insufficient mental health services, and social stigma. In this study, we evaluated the anxiolytic activity of the ethyl acetate fraction of Calotropis gigantea leaves in rats. The study involved behavioral tests, such as the elevated plus maze and open field test, to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of the extract. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of Calotropis gigantea leaves significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the central zone of the open field test, indicating its anxiolytic activity. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of Calotropis gigantea leaves has potential as an anxiolytic agent.