Experimental pharmacological investigation on the effects of a herbaceous sleep inducing drug

Author(s): Okpanyi, S.

Abstract: A sleep inducing herbaceous drug containing extracts of 4 different plants (Eschscholtzia californica, Leonurus cardiaca, Cordalis cava and Passiflora) was tested on its effects in femal NMRI mice. The whole extract as well as the single components were investigated in different experimental procedures. The hexobarbital sleeping time was prolonged by the whole extract and even more by the Corydalis extract, but less by the Leonurus extract whereas the Passiflora extract abbreviated the sleeping time of the mice. The exploratory activity of the mice was decreased by the Corydalis extract, increased by the Passiflora and Leonurus extract and not influenced by the Eschscholtzia extract. The combination of all the 4 extracts had only a very weak influence on the activity of the animals. The alcohol impaired rotarod performance was improved by the whole plant extract and still more by the Passiflora extract. The combination without the Passiflora component did not alter the alcohol induced impairment of the rotarod performance in the mice.

Keyword(s): Sleep inducing drugs

Zurück | Weiter