Anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenumgraecum seeds

The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like activity of an ethanolic extract prepared from the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) using an elevated plusmaze (EPM) and light dark transition model in mice. In the EPM test, TFG seeds extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01) increased the percentage time spent and number of entries in the open arm. The effect was comparable to that of references compound, diazepam (2 mg/kg). In light dark transition model, diazepam-treated rats significantly increased the time spent in light zone and decreased the duration of immobility, while TFG treated mice also showed a significant (p<0.01) increase in the time spent in light zone. Diazepam and the TFG extracts do not produced any overt motor dysfunction. These results indicate that TFG is an effective anxiolytic agent and could be useful in alternative treatment.