Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF RUBIA CARDIFOLIA

Sandip Sen*, Arunabh Mallik and Chiranjib Bhattacharjee

ABSTRACT

Rubia cardifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae) is also known as manjishta. Roots and stems are active part of plant. Plant contains various chemical constituents like glycosides, antraquinone, saponins, tannins and phytosterol, hexapeptides, quinones, triterpinoids. Phytochemical examinations have shown that it produces tri-terpenoids, anthraquinones, cyclopeptides and phenolics. The roots of Manjistha are used for medicinal purpose. Externally manjistha is highly recommended in skin diseases associated with edema and oozing. The present study reports some neuropharmacological activities of ethanol extract of Rubia cardifolia in mice. Results indicated that the Rubia cardifolia significantly decreased in motor-cordination and aweakfullness. But before performing the pharmacological activity it was decided to perform the acute toxicity study. From the acute toxicity study it was found that 100-150 mg/kg body weight is the optimum dose for CNS depressant activity. From the in-vitro experimental model it can be concluded that the extract shows CNS depressant and skeletal muscle relaxant activity which have been established by statistical analysis.

Keywords: Rubia cardifolia, CNS depressant, Motor coordination.