Dose-dependent muscle relaxant activity of avocado leaf (Persea americana Mill.) extract: Central nervous system effects in mice and implications for phytopharmaceutical development

Nur Ahya Alsabianti (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Dian Febrianti Putri Nampe (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Ririn Arianti (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Ihda Durratunnafisa (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Raasikhah Aadilah Satria (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Resky Wahyuni (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Wa Ode Kezya Azhara (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Nurjannah Nurjannah (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Agniatul Azizah Jufri (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)
Andi Utari Prasetya Ningrum (Muhammadiyah University of Makassar)

Priviet Social Sciences Journal
Vol. 5 No. 12 (2025): December 2025

Avocado leaves (Persea americana Mill.) contain flavonoids, saponins, and phenols, which are thought to exert muscle-relaxing effects through central nervous system depressant mechanisms. This study investigated the muscle-relaxing effects of avocado leaf extract (Persea americana) in male mice. Nine male mice were divided into three groups and administered 1%, 2%, and 4% avocado leaf infusions orally. Motor activity and reflex responses were observed every 15 min until the 100th min to assess muscle relaxation effects. The results showed that the muscle-relaxation effect increased with increasing extract concentration, at 15.55%, 34.44%, and 42.22%, respectively. Flavonoids and saponins are thought to play a role in increasing GABA activity, which reduces muscle tone. Avocado leaf extract showed muscle relaxation effects that increased with dose and has the potential to be a natural muscle relaxant through GABA activation.