Studies on psychopharmacological effects of Cleome viscosa Linn. extract in rats and mice.

Methanol extract of the entire plant Cleome viscosa Linn. (CVME) was evaluated for different psychopharmacological actions such as general behaviour, exploratory behaviour, muscle relaxant activity and phenobarbitone induced sleeping time and effects on normal body temperature in rats and mice. The extract was found to cause reduction in spontaneous activity, decrease in exploratory behavioural pattern by the head dip and Y-maze test, reduction in the muscle relaxant by rotarod, 30 degrees inclined screen and traction tests and caused significant lowering of body temperature. In addition, CVME significantly potentiated the phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time. Preliminary tests indicate that the methanol extract of Cleome viscosa Linn. in doses of 200-400 mg/kg has significant psychopharmacological activity. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.