Sedating property of Ethanolic root extract of Carpolobia lutea in swiss white mice

Carpolobia lutea (C. lutea) is widely used as an alternative medication for varying health disorders. The present study investigated the effect of the ethanolic root extract of this plant, C. lutea on locomotor and exploratory behavior in male Swiss white mice using the open field maze, and light-dark transition box. 30 Male Swiss white mice made up of 10 per group were used for the study. Group 1 was the control group, and was administered 0.9% normal saline. Groups 2 and 3 were administered 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg ethanolic root extract of C. lutea respectively. Administration was via oral gavage, 5 minutes before introduction into the experimental mazes. The number of line crosses, frequency of rearing, walling activity, and central square entries following drug administration, was dose dependently decreased (p < 0.001) compared with the untreated group. There was also a corresponding increased (p < 0.001) frequency, and duration of freezing behaviour in the extract treated groups. These indices imply that root extract of Carpolobia lutea reduces locomotor and exploratory behaviour; a possibility that C. lutea possesses a sedating property, thus reducing the activity of the amygdala with a consequent calming effect.