Central nervous system effects of Sida retusa root.

Sida renrsa viz Sida rhonthifolia is a plant belonging to the Malvaceae family native to the tropical and subtropical plains grossing abundantly in Kerala. An infusion made from the roots of this plant is held in great repute by the local ayurvedic physicians in the treatment of rheumatism and a variety of neurological complaints including epilepsy. It is used in calculus troubles as a diuretic and as an antipyretic in fevers attended with shiver ing and fits (1, 2). The present study seas undertaken to investigate in detail the central nervous system effects of Sida ;'eioso root with a view to substantiate the use of this drug in ayurvedic medicine. Pharmacognostically identified roots of Sida renrsa were dried in the hot air oven at 455) C, powdered well and used for the preparation of the crude (3) and selective (4) extracts. The solvents from the selectis,; extracts were evaporated and the residue sus pended in 2 Tseen 30. All the extracts were given orally through a stomach tube in a constant v dome of 0.5 ml,,mouse and 111.5 ml rat, the controls receiving an equal quantitt of distilled s-cater or 2'),, Tween 80. Chlorpromazine 10 mg;'kg or reserpine I mgikg were used as reference standards for the heha, oral studies and morphine sulphate 14 rig,kg cc. or acetyl salicylic acid 150 nig y orally for the analgesic antipyretic studies. Groups of six mice were used for the experiments except where specified and where pretreatment ss ith the test drug seas necessary, it "as given 3 hours prior to the test. Gross behavioral changes were studied by the method of Norton (5) as modified by Arora (6). The crude extract of Sida rc.'nLsa root (5, ICS and 15 g kg) ond the selective extracts (1)gTg) were given to the animals and they were observed at ! 2, 3 and 6 hours after drug administration. The parameters assessed were alertness. state of wakefulness, response to touch and sound, gait, tremors, con'S ulsions etc and compared with the predrug behavior. Since the crude extract produced maximum behavioral changes, this fraction was studied further in doses upto 10 g,'kg for its eil'ecis on pentobarbitone hypnosis, con