CNS Depressant Activity of<i>Cuscuta chinensis</i>Lam

Abstract

The crude aqueous extract of the whole plant of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. was studied for its CNS-depressant activity. The extract, in the dose of 1g kg−1 body weight orally, significantly decreased the motor activity and the tonic and clonic phases of electrically induced seizures in mice. The pentobarbitone narcosis and survival time under hypoxia in mice were significantly potentiated. The amphetamine-induced excitation was antagonized and the extract also exhibited marked analgesic activity. However, the extract did not affect the normal body temperature and reserpine-induced hypothermia in rats. The acute toxicity study revealed the drug to be non-toxic up to a dose of 5g kg −1 body weight orally in mice.