Evaluation of anxiolytic effect of Syzygium aromaticum: a traditional herb of India

Anxiety is a physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive and behavioral components. It is the displeasing feeling of fear and concern[1]. Anxiety affects most of the population, nearly one-eighth of the total population world-wide. Benzodiazepines, being major class of compounds used for treatment of anxiety, present a narrow margin of safety between the anxiolytic effect and unwanted side effects. This has prompted researchers to evaluate new compounds specially plant based drugs having less undesirable effects[2]. Mood and anxiety disorders have been found to be associated with chronic pain among medical patients in both developed and developing countries. Currently, the most widely prescribed medications for anxiety disorders are the benzodiazepines. However, the clinical uses of benzodiazepines are limited by their side effects such as psychomotor impairment, potentiating of other central depressant drugs and dependence liability. It has lead scientists to investigate plants which are commonly employed in traditional and alternate system of medicine for sleep disorders and related diseases[3]. Various plants of family Rosaceae are being used in complementary and alternative medicines for management of anxiety[4,5]. Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) were taken over the centuries for diarrhea, most liver, stomach and bowel ailments, and as a stimulant for the nerves. Traditionally cloves have been used to treat flatulence, nausea and vomiting. In tropical Asia cloves have been given to treat such diverse infections as malaria, PEER REVIEW ABSTRACT