Psychoneuropharmacological Properties of Eclipta Alba (LINN) in Mice

Eclipta alba (Linn) (EA) has been found useful ethnomedicinally in the treatment of many medical conditions especially mental disorders.

Aims of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity profile, behavioural activity, antipsychotic and mechanism of action of the Aqueous extract of Eclipta alba (AEA).

Methodology: Using Lorke’s method the LD50 of AEA was 1,264 mg/kg (i.p) and 3,807 mg/kg (oral) respectively was obtained, which shows that AEA was moderately toxic. The AEA was analysed using standard procedure: novelty-induced behaviour (NIB), through intraperitoneal route shows that AEA (p < 0.0001) exhibits depressant effects on the central nervous system (CNS), while the antipsychotic models (catalepsy, amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, swimming-induced grooming and apomorphine-induced climbing tests), (p < 0.0001) reveals that it possesses antipsychotic properties.

Conclusion: This study shows that the mechanism of action of AEA (antagonist model: haloperidol, atropine and cyproheptadine) (p < 0.0001) probably mediated via histaminergic, serotonergic and dopamine pathways, which provides scientific support for the ethno-medicinal use of the plant in the treatment of mental illness.