Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens commonly known as cowhage plant has been claimed to possess various beneficial effects like anti-parkinsonian, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and antidepressant activities. Previous studies have reported that Mucuna pruriens contains L-DOPA and 5-hydroxy tryptophan (5-HT) as a major constituent with higher concentration in seeds. However, literature search revealed no scientific data on its anxiolytic activity. So the present study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of Mucuna pruriens in a murine model. Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups (n=6). Mucuna pruriens administered at doses of 250,500,750mg/kg/day orally, was compared with the standard drug Diazepam (1.0mg/kg/day, oral) fed for 14 days. Three pharmacologically validated models elevated plus maze, bright and dark arena and open field test were used. The data presented was analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test. A value of p

The anticonvulsant activity of butanol seed extract of Mucuna pruriens was investigated by studying the effects on seizures induced by pentylentetrazole and maximal electroshock convulsive methods in mice. Mucuna pruriens (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of convulsion in tonic seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (80mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Mucuna pruriens (100 and 200 mg/kg orally) significantly reduced the tonic extensor convulsion in both the experimental models and the effects were compared with diphenylhydantoin in maximal electroshock method and Sodium valproate in pentylenetetrazole induced seizures method as standard control respectively. The data obtained suggest that Mucuna pruriens have mild to moderate anticonvulsant property and may be due to involvement of Gamma amino butyric acid.