Evaluation of sedative and hypnotic activities of ethanolic extract of leaves of Cleome rutidosperma DC. (Capparidaceae) in mice

Cleome rutidosperma DC. (Capparidaceae) traditionally used medicine for insomnia and depression management. The aim of the recent study conducted to investigate the sedative and hypnotic activities of ethanolic extract from the leaves of C. rutidosperma (EECR) in Swiss Albino mice. Neuropharmacological test on mice employed to this study sedative (open field, hole cross, hole- board and rota-rod tests) and hypnotic (thiopental sodium-induce sleeping test) activities of EECR in mice model. The acute toxicity study and phytochemical analysis of EECR also carried out. EECR exhibits significant (p<0.001) sedative effect by decreasing the number of (square and hole) crossed by mice in open field and hole cross tests as a dose-dependent (100-400mg/kg) manner. Hole-board test significantly (p<0.001) decreased the number of head dips and showed the similar effect as diazepam (1mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. Rota-rod test also explicit significant (p<0.001) decreased the performance time as well as increased number of falls in a dose-dependent manner. Thiopental sodium-induce sleeping test expressed that EECR significantly (p<0.001) produce shortening latency period and prolonging the sleeping time in a dose-dependent (100- 400mg/kg) manner. The experimental result indicates, C. rutidosperma containing phytochemicals that possess sedative and hypnotic activity which traditionally used as insomnia and depression management.   Keywords: Cleome rutidosperma; Capparidaceae; Sedative; Hypnotic; Phytochemicals