Thymol as a Potent Anti-Schizophrenic Agent in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

In ancient medical systems, the plant Thymus vulgaris L. was used widely for various medicinal purposes. The leaf portion of Thymus vulgaris L. along with its isolated active phytoconstituent thymol was studied in the management of anti-schizophrenic activity in Swiss albino mice. The present work deals with the in vivo antischizophrenic activity study of thymol by inhibition of apomorphine climbing mice and methamphetamine-induced stereotypical behaviour in mice models. Thymol was isolated from Thymus vulgaris L leaves and confirmed by TLC and FTIR spectroscopy. Experimental works included Actophotometer, mice treated with Thymus vulgaris leaves extract TVLE (50mg/kg and 100mg/kg) and its bioactive moiety thymol (5mg/kg) along with aripiprazole (1mg/kg). Investigations of the anti-schizophrenic activity of TVLE (50mg/kg and 100mg/kg) and thymol (5mg/kg) showed a significant (**p<0.01) results in both models of methamphetamine-induced stereotypy and apomorphine climbing time in experimental mice. Based on the experimental findings TVLE and thymol were shown to be very much effective as anti-schizophrenic activity. The results explained the role of thymol acting like a dopaminergic blocker or by causing a decrease in the brain’s dopamine supply to improve the schizophrenic-like behaviour in Swiss albino mice.