title: Exploring new pharmacology and toxicological screening and safety evaluation of one widely used formulation of Nidrakar Bati from South Asia region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nidrakar Bati (NKB) is an herbal remedy consisted with seven medicinal herbs widely used to cure Somnifacient (sleeping aid) in South Asia as Ayurvedic medicinal system. In the present study, pharmacological and toxicological effects of this medicine was investigated in mice to validate the safety and efficacy of the herb.
  
  
  METHODS
  Organic solvent extracts NKB were prepared using maceration method. Effect of extracts on the central nervous system was evaluated using hypnotic activity assay. Effect of the extracts on metabolic activity, assessing involvement of thyroid was conducted using hypoxia test. analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were assessed in mice using acetic acid induced writhing, formalin induced paw edema, xylene induced ear edema assays. Anxiolytic activity was performed using plus maze, climbing out and forced swimming tests. Effect of the extracts on psychopharmacological effect was carried out using locomotor activity tests (open field, Hole-board and Hole-cross tests). Neuropharmacological effect of the extracts was performed using motor coordination (rotarod test). Toxicological potential of the extract was evaluated using gastro-intestinal activity (gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility tests).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The studied formulation reduced the CNS stimulant effects dose independently. In the hypoxia test, only a dose of 100 mg/kg of NKB decreased the survival time. Orally administration of the NKB (200 and 400 mg/kg) produced significant inhibition (P < 0.01) of the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and suppressed xylene induced ear edema and formalin-induced licking response of animals in both phases of the test. NKB showed locomotor activity (p < 0.05) both in higher and lower doses (100 and 400 mg/kg). NKB increased the total ambulation dose dependently (p < 0.05). NKB, at all tested doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) increased some locomotion activity parameters (ambulation, head dipping and emotional defecation) in hole board test. At higher doses (200 and 400 mg/kg), NKB showed a significant increase in hole cross test. NKB showed an increase in the time on the open arms of the maze at low to medium doses (100 and 200 mg/kg). When using the Rotarod method, NKB showed a considerable increase on motor coordination of the mice. NKB produced marked gastric emptying effect and decreased gastrointestinal motility in mice at low dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NKB demonstrated various pharmacological effects and toxicological effects due to presence of several herbs in the formulation those are not closely fit for the effect of CNS depressants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh. afriabd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Afria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh. jupitex@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Md Shamsuddin Sultan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh. lucky.akter1986@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Lucky
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Akter
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. sharifhs777@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sharif Hossain
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Syeed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. pharmasmrity@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jakia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akter
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bangladesh University, Mohammodpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. mamunal007@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Mamun
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bangladesh University, Mohammodpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. ershaduap20@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Md Ershad
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bangladesh University, Mohammodpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. ahsan.bph@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Md Ahsan
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bangladesh University, Mohammodpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. jalil_bu15@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Md Abdul
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jalil
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001208:Asia; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000860:Hypoxia; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D014992:Xylenes
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014992:Xylenes; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019342:Acetic Acid