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.
Description:
This thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) in East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
