Evaluation of Locomotor Activity of Dichloromethane Extract of Dracaena Spicata by Open Field Method

Abstract

Dracaena spicata has been used as a medicinal plant for the general promotion of health and longevity by Asian tribal. It is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases like cough, syphilis, conjunctivitis, constipation by the Chakma, Marma and Tanchunga. The antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic activity of methanolic extract of Dracaena spicata is well established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the locomotor activity of dichloromethane (DCM) extract of Dracaena spicata. The locomotor activity was evaluated by open field method where mice were treated with positive control test with Diazepam, negative control test with 1% Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), and the 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight of DCM extract of Dracaena spicata with 5 parameters (central locomotion, peripheral locomotion, grooming, leaning and defecation count). The result showed the 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of DCM extract of D. spicata causes sedative effect, reduction in spontaneous motor activity, exploratory behaviour and motor coordination. DCM extract of D. spicata at 200 mg/kg the peripheral locomotion was reduced from 124.00± 4.26 at 0 minute to 13.25± 2.92 at 120minutes and for 400 mg/kg doses the peripheral locomotion was started from 110.00± 9.02 at 0 minute and ended in 17.50± 9.91 and the grooming count was increased from 3.50± 1.84 at 0 minute to 12.25± 1.84 at 120 minutes and for 400 mg/kg doses grooming count increased from 4.25± 1.10 at 0 minute to 5.50±2.62. The central locomotion count, peripheral locomotion count, leaning count, grooming count, and defecation count data supports the reduction of motor activity in mice. Study found that D. spicata have moderate to strong reduction in locomotor activity. In conclusion, further investigations are needed to identify the active constituents and the exact mechanism(s) of action responsible for the reported locomotor activity of Dracaena spicata.