Abstract

The disabling mental illness anxiety is gradually affecting the modern society in any age group worldwide. The search for novel bioactive entity from herbal origin for different disorders has became the centre of attraction significantly from the past few decades. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter known to be responsible for the anxiolytic activity of most of the potent anxiolytic agents.All the available data of Pongamol (1-(4-methoxybenzofuran-5-yl)-3-phenylpropane-1, 3-dione) were based from natural or semi-synthetic source. The synthetic routes were using easily available source and quick, cost effective and high yielding process.1-(4-methoxybenzofuran-5-yl)-3-phenylpropane-1, 3-dione (MPD) has traditionally been acquired from natural sources mainly from extracts of fruits of Pongamia pinnata and Pongamia glabra, where the yield value and the yield time are the main drawbacks. Keeping in view of above aspects in the present research it was approached to synthesis and evaluate anxiolytic potential 1-(methoxybenzofuran-5yl)-3-phenylpropane-1,3-dione on experimental animals and docking procedure after its synthesis. The study of MPD on gross behaviour of mice showed significant CNS depressant effect. Further its anxiolytic activity was confirmed by observing its reduced locomotion of mice using actophotometer and elevated plus maze apparatus. The highest docking score was observed to be (-3.22) than the Diazepam (-3.21) against GABAA. The present study provides a promising anxiolytic agent; MPD which has its potency due to the GABAA receptor binding and causing the mitigation of symptoms of anxiety.

Key words: MPD, gross behaviour, anxiolytic, molecular modelling, GABAA receptor.