Central Nervous System Activity of Argyreia Speciosa Roots in Mice

Argyreia speciosa, a woody climber is widely used in ayurveda for the treatment of neurological disorders. This work researched the action of the n-hexane (n-HF), chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and water (WF) fractions of hydroalcoholic extract of roots of Argyreia speciosa on the central nervous system. All the fractions (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) were evaluated for neuro-pharmacological activity using spontaneous motor activity and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice. Chlorpromazine was used as a positive control. Central nervous system depressant activity was observed with all the fractions as indicated by the results in which they reduced spontaneous motor activity and potentiated pentobarbital induced hypnosis in mice. These results suggest that the active principles present in the root of Argyreia speciosa may responsible for central nervous depressant activity.