CNS active potentials of some Hypericum species of India

Hypericum is a large genus comprising 200 species, wide spread on temperate region and tropical mountains. Several different species are available in Indian subcontinent. Psychopharmacological profiles of the two different Hypericum species e.g., H. hookerianum and H. patulum available in Nilgiris, India were investigated at two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) in different animal models viz. Spontaneous motor activity (SMA) test in mice; Exploratory behaviour test by Head dip test in mice and Y-maze test in rats; Effects on pentobarbitone induced sleeping time in mice and study of the effects on body temperature in rats. All the extracts tested showed enhancement in spontaneous motor activity (SMA) in mice and exploratory behavior by head dip test in mice and Y-maze test in rats. The extracts reduce significantly the pentobarbitone induced sleeping time in mice. When tested for their effect on body temperature in rats, the extract of H. hookerianum showed significant reduction in yeast induced pyrexia with no effect on normal body temperature, while H. patulum showed no activity in this experimental model.