Psychopharmacological Evaluation of the Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of the Ethanolic Flower Extract of Millingtonia hortensis (EFEMH) in Experimental Animal Models

Abstract

Millingtonia hortensis flowers have long been used in traditional medicine for their calming and anxiolytic properties, indicating potential therapeutic value in neurobehavioral disorders. However, scientific evidence supporting their anxiolytic and antidepressant activities is limited. The present study investigated the effects of the ethanolic flower extract of Millingtonia hortensis (EFEMH) in mice. Administration of EFEMH at 100 and 300 mg/kg, as well as the reference drug imipramine (10 mg/kg), produced significant behavioural effects across multiple psychopharmacological tests. EFEMH markedly reduced locomotor activity in the actophotometer test; decreased the number of entries and time spent in the open arms in the elevated plus maze; reduced head dips in the hole-board test; and decreased rearings and the number of steps climbed in the staircase test. EFEMH also significantly reduced immobility time in both the tail suspension test, indicating antidepressant-like activity. These findings provide scientific support for the anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of Millingtonia hortensis flower extract and help validate its traditional use in the management of emotional and neurobehavioral disorders.