Evaluation of Antiaggressive Activity of Capparis zeylanica Root Extract in Experimental Animal Model

Abstract

Aggression can ensue due to exposure to an intimidating situation. Aggression is prominently seen when a disturbance occurs in the fine balance of neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and their receptor subtypes. The present study investigated the ability of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Capparis zeylanica root (EECZ) circumvent aggression. Foot shock induced aggression, isolation-induced aggression, resident-intruder aggression and water competition test were utilized as models for screening of antiaggressive activity. Extract was given orally at three different dose levels (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) once daily for three consecutive days, while Diazepam (2.5 mg/kg), was administered as positive control. EECZ significantly (p<0.05) minimized aggression dose dependently in the entire dose (100, 200, 400 mg/kg). Results suggested that EECZ showed significant antiagressive activity in aforementioned validated models of aggression. EECZ at all dose levels (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) have shown promising anti-aggressive activity qualitatively comparable to that of diazepam (2.5 mg/kg).