title: Neuropharmacological properties of Trichosanthes dioica root.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber grown widely in the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, this plant has been used in India for several medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to evaluate certain neuropharmacological properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of T. dioica root (TDA) in experimental animal models.
  
  
  METHODS
  TDA (at 100 and 200 mg·kg(-1) body weight, p.o.) was evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity by the acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick methods. Locomotor depressant activity was measured by means of an actophotometer. Skeletal muscle relaxant effects were evaluated by using a rota-rod apparatus, and the sedative potentiating property by a phenobarbitone-induced sleep potentiation study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the present study revealed significant (P < 0.001) and dose dependent anti-nociceptive, locomotor depressant, muscle relaxant, and sedative potentiating effects of TDA, demonstrating its depressant action on the central nervous system (CNS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the present study, it can be concluded that T. dioica root possessed prominent anti-nociceptive, as well as depressant, action on the CNS, as manifested by these important neuropharmacological properties in mice.
authors.affiliation: Bengal School of Technology (A College of Pharmacy), Delhi Road, Sugandha, Hooghly 712102, West Bengal, India. sakkwai@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sanjib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Pallab Kanti
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Haldar
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009480:Neuropharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D029778:Trichosanthes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D010936:Plant Extracts