Development and Screening of Anxiolytic and Antistress activity of Novel Health Promoting Tea Fortified with Herbs

Abstract The current investigation was planned to assess anxiolytic and antistress properties of polyherbal formulation containing ethanolic extracts of four plants Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Justicia adhatoda (Vasaka), Trigonella foenum (Methi), Vitis vinifera (Grape seed) and to develop a tea fortified with these herbs. The anxiolytic efficacy was determined with the adult rats by elevated plus maze (EPM) analysis and motor coordination with the rotarod test. The antistress activity was evaluated with the adult rats by swimming endurance test (SET), anoxia tolerance test (ATT), and immobilization stress test (IST). In EPM, Polyherbal extract (PHE 200 mg/kg; 400 mg/kg) significantly increased the percentage of time spent in open arms (180.33±4.89 and 202.67±3.68 seconds) in a dose dependent manner as compared to the control group (39.00±3.88 seconds) and is comparable with the standard diazepam (226.67±2.98 seconds). In RotaRod test, the polyherbal extract significantly diminished spontaneous activity (fall off time with control rats is 43.16±2.05 seconds and with polyherbal extract 400 mg/kg treated rats is 203.33±2.21 sec). In swimming endurance, polyherbal extract displayed a dose-dependent decrease in immobility time (71.66±3.45 sec) which is almost comparable to standard antistress medicine Mentat (62.66±3.13 sec). In anoxia tolerance test polyherbal extract increased the convulsion time which was again statistically significant. The levels of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine were found to be increased with the polyherbal extract. The present study reveals that polyherbal extract possesses significant anxiolytic and anti-stress activity and, an herbal tea was prepared using polyherbal extract for the management of stress. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT