QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND CNS ACTIVITY OF BAUHINIA VAHLII LEAF EXTRACT

Abstract

The present study investigated the phytochemical profile and anxiolytic-like activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Bauhinia vahlii. The hydroalcoholic extraction yielded 14.5% w/w of crude extract, obtained as a dark-brown solid. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates and proteins as primary metabolites, along with diterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins/phenolic compounds as secondary metabolites. Quantitative estimation demonstrated total phenolic content of 0.721 and total flavonoid content of 0.983. The anxiolytic-like activity of the extract was evaluated using the elevated plus-maze test in mice. Compared with the vehicle control, treatment with B. vahlii extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o., increased the time spent in the open arms to 164.85 ± 3.25 and 174.28 ± 3.70 sec, respectively, while reducing the time spent in the closed arms to 112.36 ± 1.35 and 90.85 ± 1.20 sec. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a marked increase in open-arm exploration, with 180.62 ± 4.10 sec spent in the open arms. The higher dose of the extract produced a greater behavioral response, suggesting a dose-related anxiolytic-like effect. The observed activity may be associated with the flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, and diterpenes identified in the extract. Overall, the findings indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of B. vahlii possesses appreciable phytochemical content and anxiolytic-like activity, supporting its potential for further pharmacological investigation.