CNS Depressant Activity of Methanol Extract of Thysanolaena maxima by Hole Cross Method

Abstract

Thysanolaena maxima are a perennial grass plant found in hilly regions of Nepal, northern and eastern parts of India, Bhutan, and Philippines. The flowers of this plant are used as cleaning tool or broom, which is known as kuchcho in Nepali. It also is called "broom grass" in areas where its flowers are used as a cleaning tool. The plant Thysanolaena maxima has been used for the general promotion of health and longevity by Asian tribal. It is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases especially as an antitubercular drug in the hilly areas of this subcontinent. Thysanolaena maxima (TM) have been studied for antioxidant, antimicrobial and chemo preventive effects. However, scientific information on TM regarding the neuropharmacological effect is limited. This study was designed to evaluate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity of the methanolic extract of Thysanolaena maxima (METM). For this purpose, the whole plants of T. maxima were extracted with methanol. Diazepam at the dose of 1 mg/kg was used as a reference drug in the experiment. Swiss male albino mice of 20–25 g were used in the study. The animals were kept in standard laboratory and were provided with standard diet and clean water. CNS depressant study of the extract (200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight) was done by hole-cross test. A significant decrease in locomotor activity was observed at all doses in the hole-cross test. The study suggests that METM may possess moderate to high CNS depressant activity. In conclusion, further investigations are needed to identify the active constituents and the exact mechanism(s) of action responsible for the reported CNS depressant properties of Thysanolaena maxima.