ABSTRACT The anxiolytic and antinociceptive properties of the leaf extract and fraction of Phyllanthus muellerianus Kuntze (Phyllanthaceae) were investigated.The extract (MME; 500.18 g; 10%w/w), obtained by cold maceration in 1:1 mixture of methylene chloride: methanol for 48 h, was fractionationed in a silica gel column which yielded the ethyl acetate fraction (EF; 199.2 g; 39.83% w/w). The extract and fraction were subjected to phytochemical analysis. Acute toxicity of MME was determined in mice using the oral route. Anxiolytic-like activity of MME and EF was investigated in mice using behavioural paradigms of anxiety on the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and the Light and Dark box tests. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated using abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid in rats and paw-licking induced by formalin in mice. The results showed that MME and EF gave positive reactions for alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, reducing sugar, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids and resins. Acute toxicity test on MME established an oral LD50>5000 mg/kg in mice. MME and EF caused a significant (PMME.
