Anxiolytic activity of ultra-diluted Aconitum napellus on Wistar rats

ABSTRACT

BackgroundAnxiety disorders are highly prevalent that affect millions of people worldwide. Homeopathic system is gaining popularity due to its efficacy in chronic diseases. Ultra-diluted Aconitum napellusis a homeopathic medicine used by clinicians for treatment ofacute anxiety.AimObjective of this study is to test the efficacy of Aconiteon experimental anxiety models of Wistar rats. Methodology18 Female Wistar rats were dividedinto Control, Anxiety, andAnxiety + Aconite(ANX+ACO) groups. Acute stress was induced by restraining the rats for sixhours daily for fivedays in Anxiety and ANX + ACO groups. After fivedays of stress,a single dose of Aconite200cH was given to ANX + ACO group through oral gavage, whereas control and anxiety group rats were maintainedwith a normaldiet. Following this, behavioral assessment was done. Histological sections of the hippocampal area weretaken and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and also Cresyl violet stain. ResultsIt was observedthat the Aconitetreated group had morenumber of entries and also the percentage of time spent in the open arm was higher than the stressed anxiety group. Histological study of the brain tissue procured from all three groups was analyzed. ConclusionIt was inferred that ultra-diluted homeopathicAconitehas decreased anxiety in Wistar rats which were subjectedto acute restrainstress. However,the decrease was not statistically significant to deduce Aconiteas an anxiolytic.(AU)