Evaluation of central nervous system activities of Citrus maxima leaf extract on rodents

Citrus maxima is a traditional medicine used to treat astringent, constipation, hypnotic, inflammation and antiseptic. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate central nervous system activities of ethanolic extract of Citrus maxima (EECM). Oral administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg of EECM was to the depressant, anxiolytic, convulsant, hypnotic and muscle relaxant experimental animals. In the locomotor test, EECM increased the numbers of rearing, central motor and ambulation were reduced. The number of entries and time spent in the open arm was increased, decreased locomotion in elevated-plus-maze and actophotometer test. EECM protected the mice against the pentylenetetrazole and strychnine induced convulsion in a dose dependent manner. Treatment with EECM (p<0.01) reduced the duration of the tonic hind limb extension, increased hypnotics time and decreased motor co-ordination of experimental animals. This study concludes C. maxima will be an alternative source for psychiatric and neurological disorders.