Effect of leaf extract of ocimum gratissimum on central nervous system in mice and rats

Background: Ocimum gratissimum , known as “Ram Tulsi”, is one of medicinal herbs used in traditional medicinal practice in our country. Objective: To observe and evaluate various central nervous system activities of cold homogenized leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (OGE) in mice and rats. Methods: OGE was given to albino mice (n=240) and Wistar rats (n=30) in three doses 5, 10 and 15 ml/kg for seven days and evaluated for antinociceptive, anticonvulsant, motor coordination, hypnotic and anxiolytic effect using respective experimental procedures. Distilled water was used as vehicle control and various drugs as standard control for comparison. Results: OGE showed significant (p<0.05) analgesic effect as compared to vehicle treatment in hot plate test. Pentobarbital-induced sleeping time was significantly (p<0.05) potentiated by OGE in rats. OGE significantly decreased duration of tonic hind limb extension at doses of 5 and 15ml/kg in MES test and increased latency to convulsion at dose of 15 ml/kg in PTZ-induced seizure test. OGE at dose of 5 and 10 ml/kg induced significant muscle relaxation. Time spent in central square and number of rearing increased in mice pretreated with OGE at 10 and 15 ml/kg. Conclusion: OGE possess antinociceptive, hypnotic-sedative potentiating, anxiolytic and muscle relaxant properties with probable anticonvulsant properties. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i3.9632 Health Renaissance 2013;11(3):198-204