EVALUATION OF PSYCHOTROPIC EFFECT OF ZIZIPHUS MAURITIANA LEAVE EXTRACT
Abstract

Author(s): Ganesh N. Sharma

The Ziziphus mauritiana fruit are edible in nature and are being consumed worldwide. Researchers have isolated and identified a number of phytoconstituents within the different parts of the plant. At the same time many pharmacological values of the plant have also been reported, and these has been correlated with its phytoconstituents. The aim of present study is to evaluate Ziziphus mauritiana leaves for their effect on central nervous system. Materials and Methods: The aqueous and methanol extract was prepared and were analysed qualitatively for present phytoconstituents, followed by estimation of phenol and flavonoid contents. Subsequently; the extracts were evaluated for their effect on CNS using different preclinical screening models. Results: Total phenol contents in methanol and aqueous extract was found 42.13 and 13.32 (µg/mg of GAE), respectively. Total flavonoid contents were 7.25 and 4.97 (mg of rutin/100g extract) in respective extracts. The animal treated with extracts shown significant reduction in locomotion, muscle griping power, antianxiety, and antiepileptic property as compared to control group animals. Conclusion: The study results suggest that the leave extract of Ziziphus mauritiana possesses remarkable CNS depressant property. It was also postulated that the inhibition in CNS activity might be due to the present phenolic compounds; and more appropriately the flavonoid moieties. Keywords: Ziziphus mauritiana, CNS depression, flavonoids, muscle relaxation