WHERE THERE IS A TIL, THERE IS A WILL

Til is a key ingredient in a variety of world cuisines, especially Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean for its nutritional and medicinal value. Sesame seeds (Til) seem like tiny and simple pieces of nature's creation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the anxiolytic potential of Sesamum indicum in mice. A total of 150 Swiss mice, divided into 25 groups were employed in this study. Sesamum indicum (4%, 8% and 16% w/w) was admixed in diet of mice for a period of 14 days. Elevated plus maze, Light-dark model and Hole board test were used as behavioral models in this study. Effect of Sesamum indicum on MDA levels was also estimated. Sesamum indicum produced significant (P<0.01) increase in the time spent in the lit compartment in light-dark model. Sesamum indicum enhanced significantly (P<0.05) the number of entries and time spent in open arms, when tested using elevated plus maze model in mice. The hole-board test provides a simple method for measuring the response of an animal to an unfamiliar environment and is widely used to assess anxiety. Sesamum indicum significantly (P<0.05) increased head dip counts at different concentrations (4%, 8% and 16% w/w), indicating its anxiolytic effect. Sesamum indicum significantly (P<0.01) reduced MDA levels in the brains of mice, thereby revealing its property of bringing about reduction in free radical generation. These findings reflect the anxiolytic potential of Sesamum indicum.