**6.2 Anxiolytic activity**

Anxiolytic activity of *A. aspera*is due to the presence of its phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, steroids and triterpenes. Benzodiazepines are the first line drug for the treatment of anxiety but these have lots of side effects like sedation, muscle relaxation, anterograde amnesia and physical dependence [44]. Methanolic extract of *A. aspera* was administered to the different groups (100, 300 and 600 mg/ kg) by using different apparatus, hole board, open field, elevated plus maze and light *Comparative Study between Herbal and Synthetic Antidepressant Drugs DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103977*

dark test. Animals were treated with methanolic extract at a dose of 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg, p.o. shows significant and dose dependent increase in the number and duration of head poking as compared to control group. In open field test, animals treated with methanolic extract of *A. aspera*at a dose of 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg, p.o. in this test there was significant (*p* < 0.01) increase in rearing. The number of squares traveled by the animals also significantly (*p* < 0.01) increased when animals treated orally with methanolic extract of *A. aspera* at 300 and 600 mg/kg. Thus result was indicating a dose dependent anxiolytic activity of the plant extract. There was also significant (*p* < 0.01) increase the number of entries and time spent in the open arm of elevated plus maze of methanolic extract treated group at 100 to 600 mg/kg. Diazepam used as a standard drug. In the close arm of elevated plus maze, number of entries and time spent significantly (*p* < 0.01) decrease as compared to control group. The group of animal administered 600 mg/kg of methanolic extract of *A. aspera* was demonstrated higher number of entries and time spent in open arm than the standard drug. In the light and dark test, animals treated with methanolic extract of *A. aspera* at 300 and 600 mg/kg dose indicated significantly (*p* < 0.01) increase the time spent in lighted box, number of crossings and transfer latency. In the dark box significantly (*p* < 0.01) decrease the time spent [8].

#### **6.3 Hypolipidemic activity**

Alcoholic extract of the entire plant of *A. aspera* demonstrated hypoglycemic activity. Rats were divided into four groups each containing six animals. Consumption of fructose is responsible to increase body weight as a result of decreased insulin level in the blood. It is also responsible to decreased leptin production followed by an increase in the circulating nonesterified fatty acids, which decrease insulin sensitivity due to increasing the intramyocellular lipid content [45]. In the present study it was found that the HFF significantly increased TGL [46]. Saponins constituents of *A. aspera* extract are reported to increase the lipoprotein lipase which is responsible for the removal of circulating free fatty acids that results decrease the total cholesterol [47]. It is also reported saponins are effective as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors [48]. It has reported that 100 mg/kg of *A. aspera* administered to the rats significant (*p* < 0.001) decrease in the level of VLDL and LDL with an increase in the levels of HDL were observed [9].

#### **6.4 Antiulcer activity**

Gastric ulcer is a pathological condition caused due to the imbalance between aggressive factors, such as gastric acid, pepsin, stimulation of vagus nerves, secretion of gastrin and increase in the number of parietal cells and protective factors like bicarbonate ion, mucus productivity, mucus secretion and prostaglandins. Literature survey has shown that its chemical constituents like flavonoids and triterpenoids are responsible for antiulcer activity [49]. The root part of *A. aspera* was extracted with methanol. Ulcer was induced by pylorus ligation method. Ranitidine is used as the standard drug for the comparison of methanolic extract of *A. aspera.* 300 mg/kg dose of MEAA showed 91.89% antiulcer activity. From the result it has clear that 300 mg/ kg dose of MEAA shows maximum antiulcer activity than the control group. The lower dose of MEAA does not show antiulcer activity but at higher dose it shows ulcer protection activity [16].
