Neuropharmacological Screening of Alangium salvifolium (Linn.f.) Stem Bark Extract in Rats

Abstract

The neuropharmacological activities of the aqueous extract of Alangium salvifolium (Linn.f.) stem bark extract were screened in rat. The extract effect on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, pentylene-tetrazole induced seizure, spontaneous motor activity (SMA), exploratory behaviour and rota-rod performance (motor coordination) were evaluated. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) produced a significant (p < 0.05) prolongation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and reduced the spontaneous motor activity and exploratory behaviour. The extract prolonged onset of the phases of seizure activity but did not protect rats against lethality induced by pentylenetetrazole. It also failed to affect the motor coordination test. These results suggest that the extract contained an agent with neuropharmacological activity that may be sedative in nature.