Background: Thunbergia erecta (Acanthaceae) is the most abundant medicinal plant in different parts of Bangladesh where it is known as "nilghonta". It has been used as traditional medicine for insomnia, depression and anxiety management. However, no scientific evidence of T. erecta belonging to neuropharmacological activity has been reported. The aim of present study was to investigate in vivo sedative and anxiolytic activities of methanol extract from the leaves of T. erecta in Swiss Albino mice. Methods: Sedative activity of METE was investigated using open field, hole cross and thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time test model whereas anxiolytic activity was screened by elevated-plus maze, light-dark box, hole-board and marble-burying test method in mice at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. The acute toxicity study and phytochemical analysis of METE also carried out. Diazepam used as the positive control for the following behavioral pharmacology test. Results: METE exhibited significant (p < 0.001) sedative effect by decreasing the number of (square and hole) crossed by mice in open field and hole cross tests in a dose-dependent (200 & 400 mg/kg) manner. In thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time test METE significantly (p < 0.001) shortened the latency period and prolonged the sleeping time in a dose dependent (200

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Background Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) is a very common plant in Bangladesh which is locally called “Rudrapalash”. In Nigeria leaves extract of S. campanulata has a reputation of being used as an anticonvulsant. In this connection, the aim of this study was to investigate other neuropharmacological effects like sedative and anxiolytic activities of methanol extract of S. campanulata (MESC) leaves in different mice tests. Methods To assay sedative activity mice were subjected to open field and hole-cross test, whereas anxiolytic activity was checked by the elevated-plus maze, light-dark box, and hole-board test. For each test, mice were divided into control group (deionized water, 0.1 ml/mouse, p.o.), standard group (diazepam, 1 mg/kg, i.p) and three test groups (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg MESC, p.o.). The acute toxicity test and phytochemical screening of MESC were performed before the pharmacological study. Results The result demonstrated strong sedative and anxiolytic activity of MESC in a dose-dependent manner. All doses of MESC (200, 400 & 600 mg/kg) reduced the number of (square & hole) crossed by mice in both open field and hole cross tests (p < 0.001). On the other hand, in elevated plus-maze and light-dark box test mice opted to stay more in open arms and light box instead of close arms and dark box (p < 0.001). In hole-board test MESC (200, 400 & 600 mg/kg) elevated the number of head dipping (p < 0.001) dose-dependently. Phytochemical investigation indicated the presence of alkaloid, saponin, glycoside, carbohydrate, flavonoid, and tannin in MESC. Conclusion The experimental results explicit that S. campanulata leaves possess sedative and anxiolytic activities, hence suggest further chemical investigation to identify specific phytoconstituents responsible for sedative and anxiolytic effects.

Background: Dioscorea pentaphylla L. a common plant of Dioscorea family commonly called five leaves in Bangladesh. The plant contains the alkaloid, carbohydrate, tannin, gum protein, steroid, glycoside, flavonoids. It is used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and Powder of plant extract given orally in abdominal pain after delivery. The aim of the study: The present study was designed to evaluate chemical constituents and to investigate the antinociceptive activity of methanol extracts of Dioscorea pentaphylla (MEDP). Methods: The antinociceptive activity of MEDP was investigated using heat-induced (hot-plate and tail-immersion test) and chemical-induced (acetic acid, Formalin-induced) nociception models in mice at 200 & 400mg/kg doses. Result: Oral administration of the methanolic extract of leaves of Dioscorea pentaphylla L. (200 & 400 kg/mg) dose-dependently reduced nociceptive response to acute pain in acetic acid induced writhing. For acetic acid-induced writhing test highest inhibition (55.40 %) was found in case of highest dose (400 mg/kg) for leaf extract. Whereas standard drug diclofenac sodium causes (46.93%) writhing inhibition. Formalin-induced nociception test showed the significant effect in (200 and 400 mg/kg) for both dosages. On the other hand, MEDP showed the significant effect in hot plate, tail immersion test, at high dose (400mg/kg). Conclusion: MEDP showed significant antinociceptive activity via a multifactorial mechanism of action, indicating that the extract may be useful in the development of a new analgesic drug.

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