Cassia tora Linn. seed extract prolongs sleeping time and reduces locomotor activity in mice

Abstract

Cassla toraLinn. seeds have been used intraditional medicine as atranquillizers butthere is little information on their effect on the central nervous system. The effects of a decoction of Cassla tora Linn. seeds on sleep and locomotor activity was investigated. Feeding of seed extract at doses of o.5 and 1 g/kg prolonged the barbiturate-induced sleeping time in both sexes of mice, no stee;rinducing activity alone if that's from this study. The extract at doses of o.25 and o.5 gzkg decreased locomotor activity at 30 minutes after feeding (e . o.os) but did not decrease locomotor activity in amphetamine-treated mice. These results suggested that the water extract of Cassia tora seeds potentiated the efFect of barbiturate and suppressed the function of the central nervous system. Administration of 5 g/kgorally or 2 g/kgintraperitoneally caused no acute toxicity in rarts or mice. Phytochemical screening of the extract detected only anthraquinone. These results suppprt the claimed tranquillizer effect of Cassla seed extract.