title: Neuropharmacological screening of essential oil from oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida Roxb.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida is commonly employed in traditional medicine to treat multiple ailments, including epilepsy and mania. The essential oil isolated from it was screened for CNS activities to check if it is responsible for the claims made regarding the traditional use of the oleo gum resin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hypnotic and anticonvulsant activity was assessed by pentobarbitone induced hypnosis and convulsant models-Maximum electroshock (MES) and Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) respectively. Effect on motor activity was evaluated using an actophotometer, rotarod and grip strength methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The oil significantly potentiated the barbitone induced hypnosis and offered significant protection against the intensity and frequency of convulsions and mortality rate in both the convulsant models. A significant decrease in locomotion, motor impairment and loss of gripping reflex was also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The essential oil of the oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida is a CNS depressant and anticonvulsant with central muscle relaxant properties. This justifies the claims made regarding the use of the oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida in CNS disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Phamacology & Toxicology, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University, Vidyaranyapuri, Hanamkonda, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh 506009, India.
authors.forename: Mohammad Zubair
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Shareef
authors.forename: Narsimha Reddy
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Yellu
authors.forename: Venkata Narsimha Appa Rao
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Achanta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D032062:Gardenia / Q000737:chemistry*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D053149:Plant Gums; D010938:Plant Oils; D012116:Resins, Plant
keywords: Anticonvulsant activity; CNS depressant activity; Essential oil; Gardenia lucida; Rubiaceae