Psychopharmacological profile of hydro-alcoholic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia leaves in mice and rats

Indian J Exp Biol. 2005 Oct;43(10):859-62.

Abstract

The leaf extract of E. neriifolia significantly reduced apomorphine-induced stereotypy in mice at all doses (100, 200, 400 mg/kg body weight) in mice and rats and was devoid of catalepsic effect thereby, suggesting specific dopaminergic receptor modulating activity. The extract (400 mg/kg) potentiated pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis. It showed protection against maximal electro-shock-induced convulsion at 400 mg/kg. E. neriifolia leaf extract had anxiolytic action at 400 mg/kg by increasing the percentage of time spent in open arm in elevated plus-maze. The extract did not reverse scopolamine-induced amnesia on elevated plus-maze. It increased transfer latency at 200 and 400 mg/kg and also in combination with scopolamine. These results indicated anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic and anti-convulsant activity of E. neriifolia leaf extract in mice and rats. Phytochemical study showed the presence of steroidal saponin, reducing sugar, tannins, flavonoids in the crude leaf extract

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / pharmacology
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apomorphine / pharmacology
  • Body Weight
  • Carbohydrates
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / pharmacology
  • Dopamine Agents / metabolism
  • Electroshock
  • Euphorbia / metabolism*
  • Hypnosis
  • Maze Learning
  • Mice
  • Pentobarbital / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves
  • Rats
  • Saponins / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Carbohydrates
  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Dopamine Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Saponins
  • Pentobarbital
  • Apomorphine