Abstract

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SARCOSTEMMA ACIDUM (ROXB) VOIGT

Thomas Kurian* and Dr. Sibi P. Ittiyavirah

Abstract

Psychopharmacological drugs are gaining importance in our day to day life. Drugs from natural sources are having lesser side effects compared to synthetic drugs. Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt is a plant used in folklore practices for psychiatric conditions. The methanol extract of the whole plant of Sarcostemma acidum (MESA) was evaluated for psychopharmacological properties. MESA (200 Mg/kg), (100 mg / Kg) Diazepam (2mg / Kg), Haloperidol (5 Mg/Kg) and CMC 1% was used for the study. Actophotometer, Elevated plus maze, Hole board test was used to test CNS inhibitory activity and anxiolytic activity. The cataleptic activity was assessed by BAR test. It was found that the methanolic extract showed an increase in the number of entries into the open arm in Elevated plus maze, compared to control group. The number of Head pocking in Hole board apparatus increased which indicate anxiolytic activity and exploratory behaviour. Reduction in loco motor activity in Actophotometer showed CNS depressant property and increase in cataleptic effect reflects extrapyramidal like effects of the plant extract.

Keywords: Sarcostemma Acidum, Methanol extract, Psychopharmacology, Elevated Plus Maze, Catalepsy.