Abul Bashar Ripon Khalipha 1,2*, Bilkis Khanom1, Md. Solayman Hossain1, SM Hafiz Hassan1, Dr. Mizanur Rahman3
1Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
2Evergreen Scientific Research Centre, Gopalganj-8100, Bangladesh
3Pacific Dental Clinic, Farmghate,Dhaka
Abstract: Methodical reports propose that Strychnos nux-vomica has plentiful significant biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diarrheal, insecticidal, neuropharmacological (e.g., CNS depressant), anti-atherosclerotic, and lipid[1]lowering activity. CNS depressants represent common and infirmity psychiatric conditions that are often allied with depressive symptoms. The present study aimed to explore the depressant -like effects of the methanolic bark extract of S. nux-vomica (MEXS) in different behavioral patterns in Swiss albino mice. For this, adult mice of either sex were treated with MEXS (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) and/or diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.), and subjected to several interactive studies. In the open-field test, the number of square field cross, grooming, and rearing, was counted, while in the light/dark and swing test, the time spent in the dark portion and number of swings were calculated, respectively. Findings from this examination exposed the occurrence of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenes (including triterpenes), and gums in MEXS. Also, MEXS caused a significant (p < 0.05) depressants-like effect in experimental animals, where it dose-dependently amplified the total time in the center and reduced the number of rearing and grooming’s responses in the open field test. The MEXS also increased the dark residence time and decreased the number of swings in a dose-dependent manner. A dose of 500 mg/kg of MEXS caused the highest soothing effect was when combined with the diazepam group. Taken together, results outspread the sympathetic of the effects of S. nux-vomica on the central nervous system and suggest that this plant may be useful for the management of neurological diseases, inflammation, microbial infections, gastrointestinal problem, nervous system, bones cells, cardiovascular systems, cancer, and blood glucose level. and disorders, especially, CNS depressants.