Anxiolytic and antipyretic properties of the root aqueous extract of Bombax costatum Pellegr. et Vuillet. (Bombacaceae) in mice: Implication of behavioural and neurochemical approaches

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Bombax costatum Pellegr. et Vuillet. (Bombacaceaea) is a plant used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat memory impairment, anxiety, insomnia and agitation. Aim of the study: The aqueous extract of Bombax costatum is evaluated for its anxiolytic like effect in mice using experimental models. Materials and methods: The plant extract is administered orally to mice. They were tested one hour later in the stress-induced hyperthermia, hole board, and open field or elevated plus maze tests, respectively. Finally, the brain Gamma aminobutyric acid [GABA] content and GABA-T were quantified in Bombax costatum aqueous extract-treated mice at the end of elevated plus maze test. Results: Bombax costatum aqueous extract showed anxiolytic activity. In stress-induced hyperthermia test, the plant extract significantly antagonised the increase of temperature. There is a significant reduction in the stress-induced hyperthermia from 1.13 ± 0.06℃ in the negative control group treated with distilled water to 0.26 ± 0.02℃ in the group of mice administered 100 mg/kg aqueous extract. In addition, Bombax costatum showed antipyretic activity by reducing the body temperature. In the elevated plus maze test, the aqueous extract increased the number of entries into, percentage of entries into, and percentage of time in open arms. It also reduced the percentage of entries and time in closed arms. Conclusion: The obtained results suggested that Bombax costatum aqueous extracts possess anxiolytic-like and antipyretic activities in mice. This plant could be helpful in the treatment of anxiety and fever in traditional medicine in Cameroon.