Evaluation of anxiolytic activity of Rasan (Inula racemosa Hook. f.) roots in wistar rats

Inula racemosa Hook. f., commonly known as Rasan in the Unani system of medicine, belongs to the family Asteraceae and has been used by Unani physicians since ages for the treatment of various ailments such as arthritis (Waja’ul-Mafasil), ascites (Istisqa), bronchitis, palpitation (Khafaqan), Otitis (Waja’ ul-Udhun), skin disorder (Jildi amraz),and neurological disorders (Amraz-e-nafsaniya) like Mania (waswas), Insomnia (sahr), melancholia (Malankhuliya), sciatica (Niqris), migraine (Shaqiqa) and anxiety (Izterab-e-Nafsani). Despite a long history of uses, no scientific pharmacological evaluation has ever been carried out on this plant. Thus, the present study was envisaged to evaluate the anti- anxiety effects of the extract from Rasan (Inula racemosa Hook. f.) using various models of anxiety. Hydroalcoholic extract of Rasan (Inula racemosa Hook. f.) were evaluated for anxiolytic effects using elevated plus maze test (EPM) and light-dark box model of anxiety at a dose 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively. Among the various fractions tested, maximum anxiolytic activity was observed by hydro-alcoholic extract (400mg/kg) fraction which was at par with that of diazepam. The results of present investigation provide significant anxiolytic activity observed with hydro-alcoholic extract of the higher dose of the test drug when compared to standard drug and hence justifying the use of Rasan (Inula racemosa hook.f.) in Unani system of medicine for various neuropsychological disorders (Amraz-e-nafsaniy).