Acute Oral Toxicity and Anxiolytic-Like Activity of a Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Apium graveolens L. in the Light-Dark Box and Elevated Plus Maze
Abstract
The present study evaluated the preliminary acute oral safety and anxiolytic-like activity of a hydroethanolic leaf extract of Apium graveolens L. in Swiss albino mice. The leaf extract was prepared with 70% ethanol and first assessed using an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guideline 423 limit-dose approach. A single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg produced no mortality or severe toxic manifestations during a 14-day observation period. Behaviour, grooming, movement, food and water intake, body weight and general appearance remained normal; tremors, convulsions and marked sedation were absent. Based on these findings, 200 and 400 mg/kg were selected as low and high pharmacological doses. Anxiolytic-like activity was assessed in the light-dark box and elevated plus maze, with vehicle as control and diazepam 2 mg/kg as standard. In the light-dark box, the extract significantly and dose-dependently increased time in the light chamber from 62.33 +/- 4.21 s in controls to 101.50 +/- 4.87 s at 200 mg/kg and 130.67 +/- 5.10 s at 400 mg/kg, while increasing light-chamber entries without marked locomotor suppression. In the elevated plus maze, open-arm time increased from 31.50 +/- 3.26 s in controls to 63.50 +/- 3.78 s and 91.83 +/- 4.12 s at 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively; open-arm entries also increased significantly. Diazepam produced the greatest effect in both models. The consistent dose-related improvement across two validated paradigms indicates anxiolytic-like activity rather than nonspecific motor impairment. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds detected in the extract may contribute through GABAergic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. The findings support further chemical standardization, mechanistic investigation and repeated-dose safety assessment.
How to Cite
Purnima Tiwari, Sushila Kaura, "Acute Oral Toxicity and Anxiolytic-Like Activity of a Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Apium graveolens L. in the Light-Dark Box and Elevated Plus Maze", Vol. 4, Issue 2, 22-05-2026, pp. 61-71. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21428224
