Preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluation of sedative activity of methanolic extract of clerodendrum viscosum root

Abstract

Clerodendrum viscosum is mostly used in traditional system of medicines particularly the leaves and roots are widely used as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, against leprosy and in skin diseases. Extracts from all parts of the plant is being used intricately in Ayurveda and Unani for treating various diseases. Numerous phytochemicals were separated from many parts of the plant. Certain extracts and chemicals derived from the plant has beneficial effects such as antimicrobial, anti- inflammatory, cytotoxic, anti-hyperglycemic etc. The objective of this study was phytochemical screening and evaluation of sedative activity of methanolic extract of root of Clerodendrum viscosum for the first time. The preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic root extract of Clerodendrum viscosum showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins and sterols. Further sedative activity was studied where the methanol extract of roots of Clerodendrum viscosum was determined by using diazepam as the standard drug. The time of onset of sleep was reduced by 47.67% and 53.48% at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. respectively in comparison to the control group. On the other hand, the total sleeping time was increased by 44.87% and 55.83% at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. respectively. The result suggested that the root of Clerodendrum viscosum is a potential source for sedative agents.