Pharmacological Evaluation of Saraca indica Leaves for Central Nervous System Depressant Activity in Mice

Saraca indica is popularly known as Ashoka and one of the most legendary and sacred trees of India. Saraca indica is a medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda to treat painful conditions, improves complexion of the body, improves digestion and assimilation, alleviates excessive thirst, to kills all infectious agents, in blood disease, inflammation and also as CNS depressant. In view of alleged CNS depressant potential, the present study was carried out to evaluate the central nervous system depressant activity of different extracts of Saraca indica leaves. Saraca indica leaves extracted successively with petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water respectively depending upon their polarity. CNS depressant activity was evaluated using pentobarbitone induced sleeping time and by determining locomotor activity using actophotometer. Methanolic extract of Saraca indica leaves (400 mg/kg) produced highest activity as it significantly (P<0.01) reduced the onset and prolonged of sleep duration induced by pentobarbitone, extract also decreased locomotor activity by 67.33%. Water, chloroform and petroleum ether extract also produced dose dependent CNS depressant activity. Though petroleum ether extract does not produce significant CNS depressant activity in both models. The results indicate that different extracts of Saraca indica leaves possesses CNS depressant activity.

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