• PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SEDATIVE AND HYPNOTIC ACTIVITIES OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PICRASMA JAVANICA BLUME., IN MICE

Abstract

Picrasma javanica Blume., is A small to medium-sized, evergreen tree belongs to Simaroubaceae family distributed throughout abundantly found in north- eastern India, throughout southeast asia to Solomon islands .The plant leaves are applied as sedative, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, immunemodulatory. Since the review literature has not been reported more information on the leaves of this plant, the present attempt was undertaken to investigate the pharmacognostical studies like microscopical characters, physiochemical parameters in preliminary level and Pharmacogical studies.The Pharmacognostical results showed the total ash 11.9% acid insoluble ash 7.3% water soluble ash 5.3% in leaves respectively. The aqueous extract of the leaves of Picrasma javanica Blume., was investigated to determine its total yield, phytochemical constituents like alkaloids, carbohydrates, terpene, steroids, tannins and flavonoids occur in abundance in the crude aqueous extract. Pharmacological studies of leaves of this plant revealed the sedative activity of leaves of Picrasma javanica Blume., The aqueous extract of Picrasma javanica Blume.,was evaluated on central nervous system. The aqueous extract produced significant sedative effect at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (by i.p route),. While the hypnotic effect was calculated at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg via i.p pathway significantly reduced in both the reestablishment time and number of head dips during the traction and hole-board tests. In conclusion, these results suggest that the aqueous extract of Picrasma javanica Blume., possess potent Pharmacgnostical studies, phytochemical studies and sedative and hypnotic activities, which supported its therapeutic use for insomnia.