title: Efficacy of Ocimum sanctum for relieving stress: a preclinical study.
abstract: HISTORY AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the anxiolytic effects of Ocimum sanctum stress-induced anxiety.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out using male albino rats (200 ± 50 gm), male albino mice (25 ± 100) the effect of O. sanctum evaluated for anxiety and depression using forced swim test FST and rotarod test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Restraint stress (3 hours/day for six consecutive days) induced a significant reduction. It was significantly decreases the mobility period during stress. The standard deviation values are 14.4 and 9.26 and is statistically significant (p = 0.001). In rotarod test, (a) increased latency and (b) decreased ambulation and rearing were also reversed by O. sanctum. A significant increase in immobility period was observed in FST and TST after restraint stress. O. sanctum and C. sinensis significantly reduced the immobility times of rats in FST and TST.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ocimum sanctum possess significant antistress activity but the magnitude and efficacy for relieving stress is less, when compare to standard anxiolytic agent, i.e. Alprazolam.
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Rama Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. blrao2006@yahoo.co.in
authors: Lakshmana Rao
authors: LR
authors: Bathala
authors: Ch Vekateswara
authors: ChV
authors: Rao
authors: Sm
authors: S
authors: Manjunath
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Vinuta
authors: Raghu
authors: R
authors: Vemulapalli
mesh_terms: D000525:Alprazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D031339:Ocimum; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D000525:Alprazolam