Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 3 / Issue 1 / 2013 / 33-36.

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Print ISSN - 2249-7730

International Journal of Phytotherapy

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ANXIOLYTIC -HYPNOTIC ACTIVITY OF WHOLE PLANT

EXTRACT OF BOERHAAVIA DIFFUSA
B. Venkateswarlu and Y. Rama Rao
Madawalabu University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Bale Robe, Ethiopia.
ABSTRACT
Boerhaavia diffusa has been recommended for relief of insomnia in Indian traditional medicine. However,
no pharmacological studies have yet evaluated its anxiolytic and hypnotic effects. The aim of this study was to
determine if Boerhaavia diffusa whole plant extract have anxiolytic-hypnotic activity. The methanol extract of
Boerhaavia diffusa (200 & 400mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered to male albino mice, 30 minutes before
pentobarbital injection (35 mg/kg). Methanol extract of Boerhaavia diffusa at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg increased
pentobarbital induced sleeping time compared to saline-treated group. The Methanol extract of whole plant of
Boerhaavia diffusa possess anxiolytic-hypnotic activity. However, it is strongly suggested that the major active
component(s) responsible for the hypnotic effect is mainly present in the methanolic extract.
Key words: Boerhaavia diffusa, Anxiolytic and hypnotic effects, Pentobarbital.

INTRODUCTION
Symptom of Insomnia is difficult to initiating
and maintaining sleep or experiencing non-refreshing
sleep and is associated with day time sequlae. It is the
most common sleep-related complaint and overall
complaint (after pain) reported in primary care settings.
The use of benzodiazepines in the management of
insomnia is associated with well-known problems such as
hangover effects, dependence, addiction, withdrawal
symptoms and subsequent drug resistance. Although,
nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics such as zolpidem, zopiclone
and zaleplon were most recently approved for the shortterm management of insomnia, they are also adverse
effects like dizziness, headache, anxiety, and rebound
insomnia. Medicinal plants are now widely used all over
the world for the management of several conditions
including insomnia. The World Health Organization
encourages the inclusion of herbal medicine in health care
because of the great potentials they possess. Also, the
long historical use of medicinal plants has demonstrated
the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine. However,

scientific research is needed to provide evidences of their

safety and efficacy. A number of medicinal plants are
traditionally endowed with anxiolytic or sedative
properties [1-3]. One of such medicinal plants is
Boerhaavia diffusa.
Boerhaavia diffusa (Nyctaginaceae family) is an
herbaceous perennial plant, native of India and Brazil,
where it was used for centuries as a medicinal plant by
indigenous populations. The root of B. diffusa contains
alkaloids (punarnavine), rotenoids (boeravinones A-F),
flavonoids, amino acids, lignans (liriodendrons), sitosterols and tetracosanoic, esacosanoic, stearic and
ursolic acids. The root of B. diffusa is used for the
treatment of many diseases, such as liver disorders
(jaundice, hepatitis, etc.), insomnia, gastrointestinal
disorders (as laxative), renal disorders (for calculations,
cystitis and nephritis), and for the treatment of anaemia
and of menstrual syndrome the drug has recently been
used as an adjuvant in an anticancer therapy [4,5]. Despite
the wide therapeutically use of B. diffusa, there are still no
scientific data in the literature which clearly (i)

Corresponding Author:- B.Venkateswarlu Email: b_venki22@yahoo.co.in

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Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 3 / Issue 1 / 2013 / 33-36.

demonstrate the existence of sedative and hypnotic

activity and (ii) explain the mechanism of its action. Since
B. diffusa is largely used in Ayurveda medicine and the
scientific data that explain such use are deficient, the
purpose of our study was scientific evaluation of
anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of Boerhaavia diffusa
using pentobarbital induced sleeping experimental model.

with the internationally accepted principles for laboratory

animal use and the experimental protocols duly approved
by the Institutional Ethical Committee.
Acute Toxicity Study
The acute toxicity of methanol extract of whole
plant of Boerhaavia diffusa was determined as per the
OECD guideline no. 423 (Acute Toxic Class Method). It
was observed that the test extract was not lethal to the rats
even at the 2000 mg/kg doses. Hence, 1/10 th (200mg/kg)
and 1/5th (400mg/kg) of this dose were selected for further
study [6].

METERIALS AND METHODS

Plant collection
The whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa has been
collected from Sri Venketeswara University near Tirupati,
Andhra Pradesh during the month of August 2012 and
dried under shade. The plant was authentified by Mr. K.
Madhava chetty, Assistant Professor, Department of
Botany of S. V. University, Tirupati. The voucher
specimen of the plant was deposited at the college for
further reference.

ANXIOLYTIC AND HYPNOTIC ACTIVITY

Barbituric narcosis [7] was used to evaluate the
anxiolytic and hypnotic activity. Swiss albino mice (25-40
g) were divided into four groups each of consisting of six
animals.

Preparation of extracts
The whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa were
shade dried, and the dried whole plant were powdered to
get coarse granules. The coarse powder was subjected to
continuous hot extraction in Soxhlet apparatus using
Methanol. The solvent was removed by distillation under
reduced pressure, which produced a greenish sticky
residue (yield 10%w/w with respect to dried plant
material). The concentrated crude extract were stored and
used for the further study.

Experimental design
Group I received normal saline 5ml/kg i.p
Group II received of methanol extract of whole plant of
Boerhaavia diffusa 200mg/kg i.p.
Group III received of methanol extract of whole plant of
Boerhaavia diffusa 400mg/kg i.p.
Group IV received standard lorazepam 0.5mg/kg,
i.p.
For 30 min before a hypnotic dose of pentobarbital
injection (35 mg/kg i.p). The parameter quantified was
the sleeping time to abolition of the righting reflex when
the mice were placed on their back.

Animal Used
Albino Wistar mice, weighing 2540g were used.
The selected animals were housed in acrylic cages in
standard environmental conditions (2025 C), fed with
standard rodent diet and water ad libitum. The
experiments on animals were conducted in accordance

Statistical Analysis
The statistical analysis was carried out using
analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Dunnetts
test. P values < 0.05 considered as significant.

Figure 1. Effect of methanol extract of whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa on Pentobarbitone induced sleeping

Duration of sleep
in min

250

I
II
III
IV

200
150
100
50
0
I

II

III

GROUPS

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IV

Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol 3 / Issue 1 / 2013 / 33-36.

Figure 2. Effect of MEBD on % increase in sleeping

% increase in
sleeping

200

II
III
IV

150
100
50
0
I

II

III

IV

GROUPS
Table 1. Effect of methanol extract of whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa on Pentobarbitone induced sleeping
Barbituric narcosis
Groups
Treatment / Dose (mg/kg)s
Duration of sleep in min
% increase in sleeping
I
Control (Normal saline 5ml/kg i.p)
78.52 2.64
II
MEBD (200 mg/kg i.p)
24.99
98.14 2.19**
III
MEBD (400 mg/kg, i.p)
73.62
136.33 2.39**
IV
Lorazepam 0.5 mg/kg, i.p
179.27
219.28 2.41**
Data are represented as mean S.E.M. Statistical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple
comparison test. *P < 0.01 and **P < 0.001 as compared to control (n = 6 in each group).
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The present study was employed to determine
the anxiolytic and hypnotic activity of methanol extract of
whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa (MEBD) by barbituric
narcosis [8]. The MEBD at doses of 200 & 400mg/kg,
significant enhancing effect on pentobarbital induced
narcosis with an increase in sleeping time when compared
to the normal saline treated group. Compound produced
less significant effect with a slight increase in sleeping
time. Methanol extract of whole plant of Boerhaavia
diffusa (MEBD) possess depressive central effect and

hypnotic effect. MEBD that may acting through GABAAchloride ion channel complex prolongs pentobarbital
induced sleep duration, therefore, an involvement of
GABAergic system may be suggested [9-11].
CONCLUSION
The Methanol extract of whole plant of
Boerhaavia diffusa (MEBD) produce central nervous
depression. The results of this study support the use of
whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa as an anxiolytic, as
claimed in traditional medicine.

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