Screening of aqueous extract of Myristica fragrans seed for sedative and sleep enhancing property in experimental animals

Abstract

houtt or nutmeg, a commonly used spice is found to have several medicinal properties.The main aim of our study is to evaluate sedative and hypnotic activity of aqueous extract of houtt seeds in experimental animals.This is a preclinical study involving male and female Wistar albino rats and Swiss albino mice. Sedative and hypnotic properties were assessed using hole board test, open field apparatus, rota rod apparatus and thiopental induced sleeping time. aqueous extract( MFAE) was the test drug which was given at the dose of 200mg/kg body weight. Diazepam was used as the standard drug. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of MFAE was carried out.: Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) followed by Tukey Krammer Test. P value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Hole board test and open field test showed decrease in exploratory and locomotor activity and rota rod test showed decrease in time period of fall compared to normal and thiopental induced sleeping time showed that the test drug decreased the onset time of loss of righting reflex and prolonged the regaining time of righting reflex indicating hypnotic activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and fixed oils.: Based on results we concluded that aqueous extract of seeds possess significant sedative hypnotic property.