EVALUATION OF NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. PEELS IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS

Extracts of peels of Punica granatum L. were screened for neuropharmacological activities viz. antianxiety, analgesic and learning and memory activities, using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Hot Plate Analgesiometer and Morris Water Maze, respectively. Aqueous extract of the peels (200mg/kg) and ethanolic extracts (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) were administered by oral route for seven days. The control used was 1% Tween 80. Diazepam (4 mg/kg) and pentazocine (5 mg/kg) were used as standard drugs. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts was conducted. The rats receiving the ethanolic extract at a dose of 400mg/kg showed a significant increase in percentage open arm entries and percentage time spent in open arms in the EPM test thus indicating anti-anxiety activity. All the three extracts showed significant increase in reaction time on the hot plate analgesiometer and significant decrease in latency in the Morris Water Maze test, thus demonstrating analgesic activity and memory enhancement.