Preliminary psychopharmacological evaluation of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract.

An ethanol extract of the leaves of Ocimum sanctum was screened for its effects on the central nervous system. It prolonged the time of lost reflex in mice due to pentobarbital, decreased the recovery time and severity of electroshock- and pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions, and decreased apomorphine-induced fighting time and ambulation in "open field" studies. Using a behavioural despair model involving forced swimming in rats and mice, the extract lowered immobility in a manner comparable to imipramine. This action was blocked by haloperidol and sulpiride, indicating a possible action involving dopaminergic neurones. In similar studies, there was a synergistic action when the extract was combined with bromocriptine, a potent D2-receptor agonist.

A neuropsychopharmacological profile of "Cinkara", a polyherbal preparation.

"Cinkara", a polyherbal preparation reduced pentobarbitone induced hypnosis in mice, decreased apomorphine induced fighting, aggression and stereotypy and increased amphetamine induced aggregated toxicity in mice. It also increased immobility of rats in forced swimming test, an action which was not blocked by chlor-promazine, and increased ambulation in open arena test. It did not modify electrically induced convulsions or haloperidol catalepsy. It is suggested that the preparation possesses a central nervous system stimulant activity but unlike other CNS stimulants, it lowers aggressive activity in rats.