International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences
ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 10 (2013) pp. 16-25
CNS depressant activity of the simple ascidian Microcosmus exasperatus Heller, 1878
V.K. Meenakshi*1 , M.I. Delighta Mano Joyce2 , M. Paripooranaselvi1 and S. Gomathy1
1Department of Zoology, A.P.C. Mahalaxmi College for Women, Tuticorin - 628 002, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Zoology, V.O. Chidambaram College, Tuticorin - 628 008, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding author
ABSTRACT
Among the marine sedentary organisms, ascidians are an interesting but a highly neglected group of animals in India. A variety of biologically active compounds with pharmacological properties have been reported from this group. Microcosmus exasperatus is a simple ascidian, belonging to the class Ascidiacea and family Pyuridae. The present study aims at analyzing the CNS depressant activity of the ethanol extract of this species in Swiss albino mice using diazepam as standard drug and carboxy methyl cellulose as control in cocaine induced hyperactivity and phenobarbitone sodium induced sleeping time. Acute toxicity studies, general behavioral profiles, cocaine induced hyperactivity, phenobarbitone sodium induced sleeping time, exploratory behavior and muscle relaxant activity were assessed using standard procedure. Acute oral toxicity results indicated that a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight brought about irritability, tremor, labored breathing, staggering and convulsions but not mortality. Administration of 150 mg/kg showed significant and very strong depression of alertness, awareness, spontaneous activity, sound and touch response. Strong reduction in pain, righting, pinna reflexes and moderate grip strength was noticed. Hyperactivity due to cocaine was inhibited from 40 through 90 min and a gradual increase in sleeping time was observed in mice treated with the extract and phenobarbitone sodium. A decrease in the exploratory behavior compared to that of control was noted in Y - maze test and head dip test. Muscle relaxant activity using traction and rotarod test showed a significant reduction in motor co-ordination. The active principles present in the ethanolic extract of Microcosmus exasperatus can be attributed to the CNS depressant activity
Keywords
Microcosmus exasperates; diazepam; cocaine; phenobarbiton e sodium; carboxy methyl cellulose; CNS depressant activity.