ASSESSMENT OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATION FOR CNS ACTIVITIES

ABSTRACT

The research work deals with the screening of hydroalcoholic extracts of polyherbal formulation (HAEPHF) for antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. The polyherbal formulation consists of hydro-alcoholic extract of leaves of Butea frondosa, roots of Withania somnifera, aerial parts of Convolvulus pruricalis, seeds of Nigella sativa, rhizomes of Curcuma longa, and leaves of Azadirachta indica, all of these drugs were reported to possess central nervous system (CNS) activity. Evaluations of HAEPHF of central nervous system (CNS) activities were done by Analgesic activity (Eddy’s hot plate method and tail flick method), CNS depressant and muscle relaxant activity. HAEPHF was administered singly for 7 successive days and test was performed on 4^th & 7^th day. Recent study revealed that HAEPHF (1000 and 2000 mg/kg) produced analgesic, CNS depressant and muscle relaxant like effect in experimental animals and the efficacy of the extract was found to be comparable than that of standard drugs used diclofenac and diazepam.

Key words: Polyherbal formulation, Analgesic, Muscle relaxant, CNS depressant and Diazepam.