Pharmacological studies of the aqueous extract of Sapindus trifoliatus on central nervous system: possible antimigraine mechanisms

The aqueous extract of pericarp of fruits of Sapindus trifoliatus (ST) Linn., family Sapindaceae was evaluated for its potential effects on central nervous system in mice. The extract at doses 20 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the spontaneous locomotor activity and at 100 mg/kg, increased the thiopental-induced sleeping time. In rota-rod motor co-ordination test, ST at 100 mg/kg, i.p. significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) reduced the endurance time. Further ST exhibited no protection against maximal electroshock (MES)- and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in mice. In receptor radioligand binding studies, ST exhibited affinity towards dopaminergic, α-adrenergic and muscarnic receptors. The findings suggest that, ST may possess principles with potential neuroleptic properties.