Indian Journal of Animal Research

The CNS activity of Nelumbo nucifera was assessed in rats using rotarod in which forced motor activity was studied. Forty eight animals were divided into 6 groups (I–VI) of 8 animals each. These groups were administered with gum acacia alone (Group I), standard drug chlorpromazine 7 mg/kg (Group II), alcoholic extract of N. nucifera seed (red type) @ 400 mg/kg (Group III) or 600 mg/kg (Group IV), alcoholic extract of N. nucifera (white type) @ 400 mg/kg (Group V) or 600 mg/kg (Group VI). The forced motor activity was assessed by noticing the time of stay on rotarod in seconds. The decrease in time of stay revealed the CNS depressant activity. All the groups showed significant (P<0.001) reduction in forced motor activity when compared to control. The group IV (alcoholic extract of red lotus seed extract @ 600 mg/kg) showed maximum reduction in forced motor activity among the extract treated group. The standard drug chlorpromazine showed the most potent activity throughout the experiment. Thus it is inferred that alcoholic extract of red lotus (@ 600 mg/kg) showed maximum CNS depressant activity when compared to other extract treated groups.