Study of Sedative, Preanaesthetic and Anti-anxiety Effects of Herbal Extract of Motherwort(Leonuruscardiac ) in Comparison with Diazepam in rat

Due to sedation, anticonvulsant and anti-pain effects, Leonuruscardiaca hashad a special place in traditional medicine of Iran and any of countries. The chemical composition of this plant contain alkaloids (stachydrine, Leonurine), Iridoid glycosides, labdanediterpene and terpene lactones like (Leo carlin and macrobid side), flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins that these substances may affect the plant in areas of CNS strengthen calming and soothing effect and is caused by GABA. In the present time, sedative and anxiolytic drugs such as chemical drugs are used for the, sedation and anxiolytic but due to their side effects and economic issues, the significance of research on finding sedative and anxiolytic drugs with less side effects and their ability to substitute these synthetic drugs and substituting newer sedation and anxiolytic compounds is obvious. Considering the importance of sedative and anxiolytic effects of this plant’s wedecided to have a comparative study of this plant with synthetic drugs. Two different groups of male Wistar rats received herbal extract of Leonuruscardiaca with doses (150, 300, 450mg/kg, IP) and Diazepam with dose of (1.2mg/kg, IP), and Dimethyl sulphoxide with the equal volume. 30 minutes after assessing the relief sedative and preanaesthetic effects (induced sleep duration by ketamine 40mg/kg, IP) & anti-anxiety effects (using elevated plus maze) injected intra peritoneal. The results showed meaningful increase in the period of the sleep time that had been induced with Ketamine and also meaningful increase in time spent at open arms in the treatment group with the previous. The results showed that the Leonuruscardiaca extract with dose 450mg/kg has sedative, preanaesthetic& anti-anxiety effects.