EVALUATION OF ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM AND MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA USING THE ELEVATED PLUS MAZE

Anxiety disorders are among the most common neuropsychiatric disorders worldwide and are characterized by excessive fear, apprehension, and behavioural disturbances. Benzodiazepines are widely used for anxiety management. However, long-term use may result in sedation, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. Medicinal plants have gained increasing attention as potential alternatives due to their traditional use and relatively favourable safety profile. In the present study the Papaver somniferum and Matricaria chamomilla were evaluated and compared using the Elevated plus Maze model, a well-established behavioural assay for anxiety related responses. The study involved behavioural assessment based on exploratory activity in the apparatus following treatment with standard and plant-based interventions. Both extracts demonstrated measurable anxiolytic like effects, reflected by increased open arm exploration compared to control, indicating reduced anxiety related behaviour. Among the two papaver somniferum exhibited a more pronounced effect than Matricaria chamomilla, though both remained less potent than the standard drug. The findings suggest that these plant sources may contain bioactive constituents contributing to anxiolytic activity, supporting their potential role in the development of alternative therapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders and warranting further phytochemical investigation.