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Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research

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Open Access Full Text Article   Research Article

Effect of Jasminum sambac on Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice

Nidhi Dangi*, Akash Sharma, Brajmohan Kaushal

Sagar Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, NH-26, Narsinghpur Road, Sironja, Sagar (M.P.) India- 470228

 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder represent some of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric illnesses globally ¹. These conditions affect a substantial proportion of individuals each year and across the lifespan, accounting for a significant share of disability-adjusted life years ². Clinically, anxiety disorders are marked by persistent fear, worry, and somatic manifestations, including palpitations and excessive sweating. They commonly emerge during adolescence or early adulthood and occur more frequently in females than in males ³. Owing to their negative effects on quality of life, academic performance, and occupational functioning, anxiety disorders pose a major public health challenge ⁴.

The pathophysiology of anxiety involves imbalances in key neurotransmitter systems, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, and noradrenaline ⁵. The amygdala is central to fear and emotional processing, while GABA functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system by decreasing neuronal excitability through GABA receptors, which are the main targets of benzodiazepines ⁶. Serotonergic pathways are crucial for mood regulation, whereas noradrenergic signalling plays an important role in mediating the physiological stress response ⁷. Although pharmacological therapies such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, and benzodiazepines are widely used, their clinical utility is often restricted by adverse effects.

These adverse effects, including sedation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms, can result in poor treatment adherence and highlight the need for safer and better-tolerated alternatives ^8,9.

In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine has attracted increasing attention for anxiety management, with herbal therapies being particularly popular due to their accessibility, cultural acceptance, and perceived safety ¹⁰. Medicinal plants such as Ginkgo biloba, Valeriana officinalis, and Passiflora incarnata have demonstrated potential anxiolytic activity through modulation of neurotransmitter systems, although the available evidence is often constrained by methodological inconsistencies ¹¹. Jasminum sambac (Arabian jasmine or Mogra), a plant extensively used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, has traditionally been employed for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, including anxiety and insomnia, as well as various endocrine, gastrointestinal, and infectious conditions ^12,13. Indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and well adapted to tropical environments, J. sambac possesses considerable ethnomedicinal significance ¹⁴.

Phytochemical investigations have revealed that Jasminum sambac is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, essential oils, saponins, glycosides, tannins, and phenolic constituents. These compounds are associated with diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuropharmacological effects ¹⁵. Notably, flavonoids and alkaloids are known to influence GABAergic neurotransmission, which may provide a mechanistic explanation for the plant’s traditional use as an anxiolytic ¹⁶.

Despite its widespread traditional application for anxiety relief, the anxiolytic efficacy of the ethanolic leaf extract of Jasminum sambac has not yet been systematically investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the anti-anxiety potential of the ethanolic leaf extract of Jasminum sambac in Swiss albino mice using the Elevated Plus Maze model, with diazepam serving as the standard reference drug. The study encompassed plant collection and authentication, preparation of the ethanolic extract through maceration, preliminary phytochemical screening, and assessment of anxiolytic activity using the Elevated Plus Maze paradigm. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Plant Material and Extraction 

The leaves of Jasminum sambac were obtained from the local market and authenticated by the Department of Botany, Dr H.S. Gour University, Sagar (M.P.). 

The Jasminum sambac flower was collected and washed with water. The Jasminum sambac flower (300g) and (600ml) distilled water were placed in a round-bottom flask and connected to a Clevenger apparatus. Hydrodistillation was completed after 5 hours of boiling at a temperature of 60-100 0C. The final extract was cooled and centrifuged to separate the oil. The oil was stored in a refrigerator for further use ¹⁷. 

Phytochemical Screening 

Preliminary phytochemical tests were conducted per Khandelwal (2008) ¹⁸ to detect the presence of alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Phenolics, Carbohydrates, Saponins, and Steroids. 

Experimental Animals 

Mature Albino Mice (20–25gm) were taken from the animal house of SIPS, Sagar. All animals were kept in standard plastic polypropylene cages with stainless steel coverlids, and wheat straw was used as bedding material. The animals were maintained with a standard environment of photoperiod (12:12 hr dark: light cycle) and room temperature (23±20 °C). The animal is assisted free to feed and given purified water ad libitum. All experiments were conducted according to CPCSEA (SIPS/EC/2023/70) guidelines. 

Dose Preparation 

The extract was suspended in distilled water using a sonicator. Doses were 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg (p.o.). Diazepam (4 mg/kg, p.o.) and saline (10 ml/kg, p.o.) were prepared similarly. 

Experimental Design

Table 1: Experimental Grouping, Treatments, Dosage, and Testing Schedule for the Anxiolytic Activity Study of Jasminum sambac

 

Evaluation parameters of anti-anxiety activity:

Behavioural parameters: For evaluating the pharmacological activity of the formulation, several antianxiolytic activity tests were performed, such as the Elevated plus maze, light and dark box test, Open Field Test, and Force swim test. 

Biochemical Analysis: A few biochemical parameters, such as measurement of MAO-A and MAO-B activities, Mitochondrial fraction, Glutathione (GSH), Acetylcholine esterase, Plasma nitrite, and histopathology studies, were also conducted.

Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis was carried out as per the standard method. Results expressed as Mean± SEM were compared with the analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s test value for statistical significance.

 

RESULTS

Extraction Yield: Maceration yielded 3.48 g (3.48% w/w) of dark green, semi-solid extract.

Table 2: Pharmacognostic Study of the extract of Jasminum sambac

(+) Phytoconstituent present and (-) phytoconstituent absent. The extract of Jasminum sambac gives positive test for alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavanoids, phenols and tannins. It gives negative tests for glycosides and for saponins.

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmacological Screening:

Table 3: Behavioural parameters are the primary evidence to confirm the presence of anxiety as well as the anti-anxiety effect of treatments. 

Values are expressed MEAN±SEM, n=6, ** = P<0.01, *** = P<0.001 when compared to the normal control group, b = ns when compared to the normal control group, a*** = P<0.001 when compared to the negative control group, c = ns when compared to the standard group. Standard: Diazepam (4mg/kg).

  

Time spent in Close arm (Sec.)

100   50

Time spent in Open arm (Sec.)

R E S P O N S E

Figure 1: Effect of Jasminum sambac on EPM parameters in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

R e s p o n s e s

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Figure 2: Effect of Jasminum sambac on FST in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

  

R e s p o n s e s

200 150 100 50

Figure 3: Effect of Jasminum sambac on Light and Dark Test in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

         

40   30

  

R e s p o n s e s

   

Figure 4: Effect of Jasminum sambac on OFT in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

Table 4: Biochemical Estimation of the studies conducted on animals in response to the treatment of different groups

Values are expressed MEAN±SEM, n=6, ** = P<0.01, *** = P<0.001 when compared to normal control group, b = ns when compared to the normal control group, a*** = P<0.001 when compared to negative control group, c = ns when compared to standard group. Standard:- Diazepam (4mg/kg)

  

C o n c e n t r a t i o n

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Figure 5: Effect of Jasminum sambac on Plasma Nitrate in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

  

120 C o100 n c 80 e n t 60 r a 40 t i 20 o n

Figure 6: Effect of Jasminum sambac on iNOS in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

  

C o n c e n t r a t i o n

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Figure 7: Effect of Jasminum sambac on AchE in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

C o n c e n t r a t i o n

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

MAO-A MAO-B

Figure 8: Effect of Jasminum sambac on MAO-A and MAO-B in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

  

C o n c e n t r a t i o n

2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0

Figure 9: Effect of Jasminum sambac on Glutathione Reductase in Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Histopathology

 

 

CONCLUSION: 

The present investigation provides compelling experimental evidence that the ethanolic leaf extract of Jasminum sambac exhibits significant anxiolytic activity in Swiss albino mice. Behavioral assessments using the Elevated Plus Maze, Light and Dark Box, Open Field Test, and Forced Swim Test demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in anxiety-like behavior, with the higher dose (200 mg/kg) producing effects comparable to the standard anxiolytic drug diazepam.

Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, and tannins, which are known to influence central nervous system function. Biochemical analyses further supported the behavioral findings by showing modulation of monoamine oxidase activity, reduction in oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, normalization of acetylcholinesterase levels, and enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanisms. These effects suggest that the anxiolytic action of Jasminum sambac may involve interactions with GABAergic and monoaminergic neurotransmission as well as antioxidant pathways.

Overall, the study validates the traditional use of Jasminum sambac in the management of anxiety and supports its potential as a safe and effective natural anxiolytic agent. Further studies involving isolation of active compounds, mechanistic investigations, and clinical evaluation are warranted to fully establish its therapeutic utility.

Conflict of interest: None.

Funding: None.

Ethical approval: All experiments were conducted in accordance with CPCSEA (SIPS/EC/2023/70) guidelines. 

Acknowledgement: The authors express their sincere gratitude to the management and staff of Sagar Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Sagar) for their continuous support, encouragement, and provision of necessary facilities to carry out this research work.

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