Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of Furcellaria lumbricalis extract in experimental animals using validated behavioral models. The study also aimed to assess the dose-dependent effects of the extract and compare its efficacy with a standard anxiolytic drug, diazepam.

Materials and Methods: Furcellaria lumbricalis extract (red algae extract) was obtained from Infinator Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, India. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (200–250 g) were housed under standard laboratory conditions (12-hour light/dark cycle, 22 ± 2 °C) with free access to food and water. Animals were acclimatized for one week prior to experimentation. The rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6): control (vehicle only), three treatment groups receiving Furcellaria lumbricalis extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, and a positive control group receiving diazepam (2 mg/kg). All treatments were administered orally for 14 consecutive days. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed on day 15 using the Open Field Test (OFT) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). All experimental procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee and conducted according to CPCSEA guidelines.

Results and Discussion: Treatment with Furcellaria lumbricalis extract resulted in a significant, dose-dependent reduction in anxiety-like behavior. In the Open Field Test, extract-treated rats showed increased time spent in the central zone compared to the control group, indicating enhanced exploratory behavior. In the Elevated Plus Maze, animals receiving the extract demonstrated increased time spent in the open arms, with the high-dose group exhibiting effects comparable to diazepam. These findings suggest that Furcellaria lumbricalis possesses potent anxiolytic properties, possibly mediated through modulation of central neurotransmitter systems

Conclusion: The study confirms that Furcellaria lumbricalis extract exhibits significant, dose-dependent anxiolytic activity in experimental animals. The high-dose extract showed efficacy comparable to diazepam, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for anxiety management. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its mechanism of action and clinical applicability.