Sedative and hypnotic activity of the leaves of Bijapura (Citrus medica L.)

Abstract

Bijapura (Citrus medica L., family: Rutaceae) leaves powder when used along with honey is documented in ancient text to induce sleep and is useful in patients with insomnia. The purpose of the present research work was to investigate the sedative and hypnotic effects of C. medica leaves powder along with honey as anupana (adjuvant) in experimental animals. The effects of leaves powder on the locomotor activity of albino rats were evaluated using an open field test. The hypnotic effect was evaluated by potentiation of pentobarbital-induced sleep test and muscle relaxant activity by Rotarod test using swiss albino mice. Results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s t-test with P <0.05 as significant. The leaves powder along with honey significantly (P <0.01 and P <0.05) reduced numbers of square crossed and locomotor activity in the Open field test when compared to control and vehicle control groups. It significantly (P <0.05) potentiated the pentobarbitone-induced sleep duration when compared to the control group. However, the leaves powder did not reduce or affect the latency of the fall-off time of mice in the Rotarod test. Vehicle as honey failed to produce significant effects when compared to the control group, whereas standard drugs as diazepam produced significant sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant activity in albino mice. The result suggests that C. medica leaves powder has sedative and hypnotic activity without affecting the muscle tone/coordination in animals and thus, prove its traditional claim in insomnia.