Evaluation of antipsychotic and anti-diarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia Linn

• Published in: Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 73 - 80
• Main Authors: Harde, Minal T, Khairnar, Avinash S, Kasture, Ameya S, Kasture, Sanjay B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Antidiarrhoeal; Antipsychotic; Rubia cordifolia roots extract
• ISSN: 1598-2386; 2211-1069

The objective of the present study was to assess the antipsychotic and antidiarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia in mice and rats. The antipsychotic activity of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia (ERC) was evaluated by observing its effect on amphetamineinduced stereotyped behavior in mice. Effect of ERC was also studied on motor coordination and locomotion in mice. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhoea and excretion of sodium and potassium ions in the intestinal secretion in rats and gastrointestinal transit in mice. The ERC inhibited amphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour, diminished locomotion and impaired motor coordination. ERC inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea, decreased both sodium and potassium excretion in the intestine and decreased gastrointestinal transit. Thus the present study confirms the anti-diarrhoeal activity of Rubia cordifolia. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of Rubia cordifolia as an antipsychotic.