Annona squamosa- A Medicinal Plant Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Anxiolytic screening

The book Annona squamosa-A Medicinal Plant deals with the detailed pharmacognostic and physico-chemical evaluation with the aim to aid pharmacognostic and taxonomic species identification using WHO recommended parameters which provide referential information for checking adulteration. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, and steroids which were qualitatively determine by TLC and HPTLC techniques. The anxiolytic potential of extracts of leaf of Annona squamosa were investigated and compared with the standard drug diazepam in mice using elevated plus maze and open field behavior test paradigm of anxiety. The effect induced by low dose of methanolic extract (100mg/kg) was comparable to the effect induced by diazepam (2mg/kg).