ANTISTRESS ACTIVITY OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA FLOWERS

Objective: To investigate the antistress activity of water soluble part of ethanolic extract of Butea monosperma on water immersion stress-induced ulceration, elevation of serotonin (5-HT) in brain and corticosterone in plasma in rats. Methods: Stress was induced by forcing rats (n = 5) to swim in water for 2 hours and brain 5-HT and plasma corticosterone were estimated using a fluorimetric method. The rats received the extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) or diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) i.p. 30 min before stress. Results: Water soluble part of ethanolic extract of flowers of Butea monosperma (100-400 mg/kg i.p.) attenuated water immersion stress induced elevation of brain serotonin and plasma corticosterone levels. The ulcer index also decreased in dose dependent manner. Diazepam (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) which was used as a reference standard exhibited similar effects. Conclusion: Butea monosperma flowers possess antistress activity. The observed effects may be due to decrease in brain 5-HT and suppression of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical axis.