Evaluation of Sedative and Hypnotic Activity of Ethanolic Extract ofScoparia dulcisLinn.

Abstract

Scoparia dulcis Linn. (SD) is a perennial herb that has been well studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. However, scientific information on SD regarding the neuropharmacological effect is limited. This study evaluated the sedative and hypnotic effect of the ethanolic extract of whole plants of Scoparia dulcis (EESD). For this purpose, the whole plants of S. dulcis were extracted with ethanol following maceration process and tested for the presence of phytochemical constituents. The sedative and hypnotic activity were then investigated using hole cross, open field, hole-board, rota-rod, and thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time determination tests in mice at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of EESD. Diazepam at the dose of 1 mg/kg was used as a reference drug in all the experiments. We found that EESD produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition of locomotor activity of mice both in hole cross and open field tests (P < 0.05). Besides, it also decreased rota-rod performances and the number of head dips in hole-board test. Furthermore, EESD significantly decreased the induction time to sleep and prolonged the duration of sleeping, induced by thiopental sodium. Taken together, our study suggests that EESD may possess sedative principles with potent hypnotic properties.

Evaluation of sedative and anxiolytic activities of methanol extract of leaves of Persicaria hydropiper in mice

“…As expected, similar types of effects accomplished by the administration with diazepam. Substantial evidence revealed that the CNS depressant such as TS bind to the gamma amino butyric acid type A (GABA A ) receptor complex and potential gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated hyperpolarization of postsynaptic neurons [25].…”

Pharmacological basis for sedative and hypnotic like effects of Pyrus pashia using in vivo experimental models

“…Our preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of carbohydrates (seeds), saponins (flowers), phenols, flavonoids, sterols, triterpinoids, glycosides, terpenoids, and coumarins in the ethanolic extract of P. pashia while alkaloids were totally absent. There are several reports demonstrated glycosides and flavonoids in the extract possess sedative properties mediated through affinity with benzodiazepines site of GABAergic complex system or direct or indirect modulators of this receptor . Similarly, the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids, glycosides, and terpenoids in HEPP could be mainly responsible for sedative and hypnotic properties.…”

In vivo pharmacological activities of methanolic extract of Tabernaemontana recurva Roxb.

“…Thus the EPM test in this research work suggested the anxiolytic activity of methanol extract of T. recurva. Increase in head dipping behavior is the expression of anxiolytic state and decrease in the number of head dipping reflects the depressant effects in hole board test [19,21,22]. The hole board showed that the methanolic extract of T. recurva causes a dose dependent increase in the number of head dips in mice which is statistically significant (P < 0.001) as compared to control group.…”