Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant and analgesic activities of the ethanol extract of Scutia myrtina (EESM) (Family: Rhamnaceae) in Swiss albino mice. To evaluate the CNS depressant activity by using the methods such as general behavior, exploratory behavior, muscle relaxant activity and phenobarbitone sodium-induced sleeping time were studied. Analgesic effect of EESM was evaluated in acetic acid induced writhing and hotplate tests. The results revealed that the EESM at the dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg caused a significant reduction in the spontaneous activity (general behavioral profile), remarkable decrease in exploratory behavioral pattern (Y-maze and head dip test), a reduction in muscle relaxant activity (rotarod and traction tests), and also significantly potentiated phenobarbitone sodium-induced sleeping time. The EESM also produced significant analgesic activity in both models at the dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg. Further, the EESM potentiated the morphine and aspirin induced analgesic in mice. The results suggest that EESM exhibit CNS depressant and analgesic activity in tested animal models. Key words: Scutia myrtina, central nervous system (CNS) activity, analgesic, mice, ethanol extract.
Highlights
Scutia myrtina (Rhamnaceae) is widely available in South India, especially in Kolli Hills, Tamilnadu
The ethanol extract of Scutia myrtina (EESM) affected spontaneous activity, sound and touches responses at dose of 300 mg/kg and produced moderate or slight depression relating to awareness and alertness
Exploratory behavior potentials In Y–maze test, the animals treated with EESM at the doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg showed a marked decrease in exploratory behavior compared with control
Summary
Scutia myrtina (Rhamnaceae) is widely available in South India, especially in Kolli Hills, Tamilnadu. It is commonly known as Chimat (Hindi), a prickly shrub found throughout the hotter parts of India, East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. The alcohol extract of the aerial part of the plant posses antiviral activity (Dhar et al, 1968). In eastern Tanzania the root of this plant is used for the treatment of bilharzias, intestinal worms and fever (Chhabra et al, 1991). The leaves and root bark of the S. myrtina decoction is used for gonorrhea, bilharzias, and intestinal worms in Tanzania (Hedberg et al, 1983)
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