Objective: Evidence is emerging that specific combinations of bioactive compounds may be far more effective in protecting against several diseases as compared to the effect of a single compound. The present study was aimed to investigate the interactive effect of Diosgenin and Silymarin, the bioactive compounds from plant origin in an animal model of anxiety.
Methods: Albino wistar rats of either sex were divided into five groups and treated for 5 d. Group I and II served as control and standard and test groups were treated with Diosgenin (100 mg/kg, p. o.), Silymarin (100 mg/kg, p. o.) and combination of Diosgenin (50 mg/kg, p. o.)+Silymarin (50 mg/kg, p. o.), respectively. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i. p.) was used as a standard for the study. Anxiolytic effects were studied in the Elevated plus-maze, Hole-board test and Light/Dark model.
Results: The results suggested that Diosgenin when given alone at a dose of 100 mg/kg, does not shown significant anxiolytic effect when as compared with control. Whereas, the compound Silymarin (100 mg/kg) shown significant anti-anxiety effect (P<0.01), independently. The same two bioactive compounds, given in combination at a dose of 50 mg/kg, (each), exhibited significant anxiolytic-like effect, potentially.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that Diosgenin has got a synergistic effect on anti-anxiety action when given in combination with Silymarin
