Evaluation of neuropharmacological properties of a polyherbal extract

Abstract

Many epidemiological studies conducted in India on mental and behavioural disorders report varying prevalence rates, ranging from 9.54 to 370 per 1000 population. Researchers are developing drugs to treat many different neurological disorders including pain, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, psychological disorders, addiction and many others. The present study was aimed at evaluating the neuropharmacological properties of a polyherbal extract which was prepared by combining equal proportions of the three plants, Catharanthus roseus, Calotropis gigantea and Jasminum malabaricum. These plants were selected based on the evidence that they were traditionally used for treatment of mental disorders. The extracts were evaluated for neuropharmacological properties using various CNS models such as apomorphine induced stereotype behaviour, Rota rod test, Head dip test and Y-Maze test. The results revealed that the polyherbal extract possess neuropharmacological properties which may be due to the presence of important phytoconstituents present in the three extracts.