Tranquilizing property of Clitoria ternatea Linn. (Shankupushpam), Acorus calamus Linn.(Vayampu) and Vitex leucoxylon Linn.(Atta nocchi) in rats
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Date
2001
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Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Abstract
The study was conducted in sixty four adult albino rats of either sex to assess
tranquillizing property of alcoholic extract of whole plant of Clitoria ternatea, roots and
rhizomes of Acorus calamus and leaves of Vitex leucoxylon at two dose levels of 250
mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of body weight and compare the effect to the standard
tranquillizer chlorpromazine at dose rate of 7 mg/kg. The control group was given gum
acacia. The dose levels of these drugs were as follows
Plants Amount of Extract (mg/kg)
Clitoria ternatea 250(0 I) 500(02)
Acorus calamus 250(03) 500(04)
Vi/ex leucoxylon 250(05) 500(06)
Chlorpromazine 7(07)
Control (gum acacia) 7mllkg(08)
Level of tranquillization was measured using three parameters (l) depression of
spontaneous motor activity, measured using actaphotometer (2) depression of forced
locomotor activity measured by decrease in time of permanence in a rota-rod and (3)
decrease in aggressive behaviour, measured by aggressive behaviour test score.
Haematological parameters like total erythrocytic count, total leucocytic count,
differential leucocytic count and haemoglobin percentage were determined to assess any
change in haemogram by these drugs.
The results of present study were as follows. Clitoria ternatea possess maximum
tranquillizing property among the three. At 250 mg/kg it produced significant
depression of spontaneous motor activity and forced locomotor activity than control but
less than the standard drug. At 500 mg/kg it produced almost similar effect, as standard
at certain time intervals but altogether the effect was less than the standard. Aggressive
behaviour was also reduced at both dose rates. Clitoria ternatea at 500 mg/kg was more
effective than Clitoria ternatea 250 mg/kg.
Acorus calamus follows Clitoria lernatea in producing tranquillization. At 250
mg/kg as well as 500 mg/kg dose rates it produced significant depression of
spontaneous motor activity, forced locomotor activity and aggressive behaviour. Acorus
calamus at 500 mg/kg was more effective than Acorus calamus 250 mg/kg .
Vitex leucoxylon possess least effect among the three in producing
tranquillization. But at 250 mg/kg as well as 500 mg/kg dose rates it produced
significant depression of spontaneous motor activity, forced locomotor activity and
aggressive behaviour. Vitex leucoxylon at 500 mg/kg was more effective than Vitex
leucoxylon 250 mg/kg.
Haematological studies revealed no significant change in haemogram by any of
the plant drugs.
The exact mechanism of tranquillization by these plants and their possible
toxicities needs further detailed study
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