Antistress Properties of an Indigenous Compound and its Significance in the Management of Psychosomatic Disorders

INTRODUCTION During the last two decades, pharmacotherapy with pyschoactive drugs has been increasingly recognised as most effective in the management of anxiety, stress and psychosomatic disorders. The continuous use of tranquillizers and psychotropic drugs may lead to a variety of autonomic, endocrine, allergic, haematopoietic and neurologic side-effects. Elevation or depression of mood is another important side effects. Elevation or depression of mood is another important side-effect of such drugs (Randall, 1962). Recently, the clinical use of benzodiazepines has gained significant attention in the management of anxiety and psychosomatic disorders. Hendler (1982) studied the mechanism of action and clinical application of these drugs. Recent tranquillizers have proved their efficacy in controlling anxiety and tension in many emotional as well as physical disorders. However, such agents primarily relieve the symptoms and offer relief for only a short duration.