Antistress activity of petroleum ether, methanolic and aqueous extracts of fruits of Benincasa hispida in experimental animals

Abstract

Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it. The present study was designed to determine antistress activity of petroleum ether (BHP), methanolic (BHM) and aqueous extract (BHA) obtained from Benincasa hispida by anoxia stress tolerance, swimming endurance and immobilisation stress. Benincasa hispida subjected for extraction, standerdisation and preliminary phytochemical examinations. The parameters like anoxia stress tolerance and swimming endurance time were recorded. The estimation of biochemical marker levels and determination of organs weight were carried out in immobilisation stress model. Pretreatment of BHM and BHA 100 mg/kg showed increase in anoxia stress tolerance time and swimming endurance time. BHM found to be more significant in this regard. Results were compared with diazepam 2 mg/kg. There was significant reduction in biochemical parameters like serum glucose, cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen levels exhibited by BHM. The stress induced increase in liver; adrenal gland weight and decrease in weight of spleen were significantly reversed by the BHM. The findings of the present investigations indicate that the BIM and BIA have significant antistress activity.