Abstract
The present investigations were undertaken with a view to evaluate Baptisia tinctoria roots (Wild Indigo; family – Fabaceae) systematically for neuropharmacological activities. The methanol extract (ME) of plant was prepared by extracting properly identified plant in a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol, after defatting with n-hexane. Acute toxicity studies revealed that ME is safe for acute administration. Preliminary phytochemical screening of ME showed presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, coumarins and tannins as major classes of phytoconstituents. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) was prepared by fractionating crude ME using standardized procedure, which showed presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and triterpenoids. ME (400 mg/kg) and EAF (106 mg/kg) produced significant antistress activity in similar manner as exhibited by the standard drug. The ME and EAF exhibited mild antianxiety activity, and were found to be devoid of anticonvulsant, sedative and analgesic activities.
Highlights
Common neurological disorders include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, seizures and stress, which lead to social isolation and poor quality of life [1]
The hexane extract (HE), methanol extract (ME), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and remaining methanol extract (RME) of B. tinctoria roots were screened for different classes of phytoconstituents using specific standard reagents
No mortality and lethality was observed in mice treated with 2 g/kg dose of the ME of B. tinctoria roots
Summary
Common neurological disorders include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, seizures and stress, which lead to social isolation and poor quality of life [1]. More than 650 million people suffer from these mental disorders. Around 6-7% of India’s population suffers from a mental disorder either due to stress, depression, anxiety or any other cause [2]. The regular use of synthetic drugs causes various unwanted side effects such as damage of cognitive functioning, addiction, physical dependence and tolerance [4]. Due to these adverse effects of synthetic drugs, herbal remedies are preferred days. India has one of the richest plant based medical tradition in the world. Despite having long tradition of use in treatment of mental disorders, most of plants have not been validated scientifically [1].
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