COMPARATIVE ANTIPSYCHOTIC STUDY OF VARIOUS EXTRACTS OF OCIMUM SANCTUM IN MICE

Objective: Psychosis (schizophrenic, schizoaffective and affective illnesses) is a group of serious illnesses that affect the mind. In spite of the availability of a number of drugs for the treatment of psychosis, however, at present, there is no satisfactory remedy available for the prevention and management of psychosis. Herbals medicines are tremendously considered to be less toxic than synthetic ones. The present study was undertaken to test the effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum leaves (100 and 200 mg/kg, p. o.). Methods: The antipsychotic activity of Ocimum sanctum extracts (ethanol and aqueous) was compared with amphetamine and chlorpromazine in mice using a locomotor activity model. 7 groups of 6 mice each were taken. Control (water) Amphetamine (positive control) Chlorpromazine (standard antipsychotic), 2 Ethanol extracts of Ocimum sanctum (100 and 200 mg/kg), 2 Aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum (100 and 200 mg/kg) Locomotor activity was measured before and after drug administration using an actophotometer. Percent change in activity was calculated to assess antipsychotic effects. Results: Amphetamine increased activity significantly (p<0.01). Chlorpromazine decreased activity significantly (p<0.01). Both ethanolic extracts increased activity moderately compared to control. The 200 mg/kg dose of ocimum sanctum showed a significantly increase (p<0.05 vs. amphetamine). Aqueous extracts had minimal effect on activity. Conclusion: This study shows promise for ethanloc extract of Ocimum sanctum as a potential stimulant, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to identify active components and understand mechanism of action.