Clinical Phytoscience (Oct 2017)
Evaluation of sedative and anxiolytic activities of methanol extract of leaves of Persicaria hydropiper in mice
Abstract
Abstract Background Persicaria hydropiper Linn. (Family: Polygonaceae), it grows in damp places and the bank of rivers, canals, lakes, and roadsides of Bangladesh. The leaves of the plant used in traditional medicine to treat insomnia, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the sedative and anxiolytic activities of the methanol extract of leaves of Persicaria hydropiper (MEPH). Methods The sedative effect of the P. hydropiper at the doses of 50, 200, 350, and 500 mg/kg evaluated using the open field, hole cross, rota-rod and thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time test in mice. The anxiolytic activity evaluated using the elevated-plus maze, light-dark box, hole-board and marble-burying test. Sedative and anxiolytic activities compared to diazepam, a positive control. The acute toxicity test also assessed. Results The neuropharmacological activity of both open field and hole cross tests significant (p < 0.001) decrease the number of (square and hole) crosses by mice compare to control group. The rota-rod test to evaluate the motor coordination or muscle relaxant significantly (p < 0.001) increases the number of falling whereas decrease performance time from the rotating rod. In thiopental sodium-induced sleeping test, MEPH causes a decrease in the sleep latency time and significantly (p < 0.001) increase the duration of sleeping time. In the elevated plus-maze test, the different parameters (the time spent and the number of entries in open arms; the time spent and the number of entries in close arms) observed. Treatment with MEPH significant (p < 0.001) increase the time spent and the number of entries in open arms comparable to control group. In respect of the light-dark box test, several (latency times, the number of transitions, the time spent in the light and dark compartment) parameters also observed. Mice treated with MEPH significant (p < 0.001) increase the time spent in the light compartment compared to control group. The hole-board tests, MEPH significant (p < 0.001) decrease the number of head dips, as well as the number of marbles burying, was significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the marble-burying test showing anxiolytic activity. Conclusion The results indicate that MEPH has sedative and anxiolytic activities, supporting its uses in traditional medicine. Further studies of the isolation of the active components of P. hydropiper and its mechanism of action study strongly recommended before the application in human.
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