Introduction: Tabernaemontana solanifolia A. DC. (Apocynaceae) grows in the Cerrado (savanna), Caatinga (shrublands), and Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Objective: to investigate the potential anxiolytic activity of the crude extracts and ß-amyrin acetate obtained from the leaves of Tabernaemontana solanifolia in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test for anxiety in rats. Methods: the crude extracts (aqueous, ethanol, and hexane), as well as ß-amyrin acetate, obtained from Tabernaemontana solanifolia leaves were evaluated for possible anxiolytic effects in rats tested in the elevated plus-maze. Acute toxicity in rats was determined by OECD 423 guidelines. The leaves of T. solanifolia specimens collected in Brasília, Brazil, were air dried at 40 °C and macerated... |