Study of Central Nervous System Depressant and Behavioral Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Clitoria Annuain Albino Rats

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to evaluate depressant effects on central nervous system (CNS) and behavioral effects of ethanol extract of clitoria annua  and to find the phytochemical responsible for these activities with possible mode of action. Materials & Method: The central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity of C. annua was evaluated by the classical models of depression as Rota rod method, Actophotometer test, tail suspension, and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests in Rat. The Rats were divided into Normal, Standard, and two test groups containing five rats each. The test groups received extract at the doses of 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight orally where as the Normal group received distilled water (0.1 ml/mice, p.o.). Diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as standard drug. Results: It is clear that the plant extract significantly decreased the locomotor activity of rats in Rota rod method and Actophotometer test when compared to the normal (p < 0.05). It is observed that the extract showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased in immobility time in tail suspension test in mice. In addition, the extract produced prolongs the sleeping time with onset of action in contrast to the normal group. Conclusions: The present work depicts the evaluation of possible CNS depressant activity of C. annua in mice models. EECA can be a safe and effective approach/alternative for the treatment of number of CNS depressant disorders. More extensive study is required to fractionate, purify, and identify the exact mechanism of action CNS Depressant activity present in ethanolic extract of Clitoria annua with its active ingredients.