Effect of Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus Linn) on reserpine-induced emesis in pigeons.

Nagarmotha roots were obtained from a local dealer of Ayurvedic medicines, identified and a suspension containing 80 mgiml of the drug '\as prepared in ion free distilled water using gum acasia as suspending agent. Healtr.y pigeons weighing between 200-300 g were divided into four groups of 10 each. They were fed with grain (Jwar) in the morning and the experiments were performed at II a.m. Group I received reserpine (0.5 mg/kg, im); group 11 received triflupromazine ('Siquil', 4 mg/kg, im) followed by reserpine after 30 min. The third group was given Nagarmotha (80 mg/kg/pO) followed by reserpine afrer 45 min, while the fourth group was administered Nagarmotha (80 mg/kg/pO) followed by reserpine after 24 hr. The birds were observed for 4 hr and the incidence and time of onset of vomiting was recorded. The results were analysed by using Chi-square test.