EFFECT OF HYDRO-ALCOHOLIC ROOT EXTRACT OF PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA L ALONE AND ITS COMBINATION WITH AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF CAMELLIA SINENSIS ON RESERPINE INDUCED PARKINSONISM

Aim: To investigate the antiparkinsonism activity of hydro alcoholic root extract of P. zeylanica L (PZE) alone and its combination with aqueous extract of C. sinensis leaves (AECS) in reserpine induced model. Materials and methods: Parkinsonism (PD) was induced by sub cutaneous administration of reserpine (1 mg/kg) for 5 days. The extracts/drugs being tested were administered orally (p.o) 60 min prior to the administration of the reserpine for five days. Behavior parameters were analyzed using catalepsy, open field and stepping test. Result: Repeated administration of reserpine (1 mg/kg; s.c) for a period of 5 days significantly increased catalepsy and decreased the locomotor activity as compared to normal animal. All the groups ie L-dopa + carbidopa (syndopa), PZE alone and its combination with C. sinensis showed significant (P<0.001) reduction in catalepsy, akinesia and increase in locomotor performance.Conclusion: It is concluded that P. zeylanica alone and its combination with C. sinensis have a protective effect against PD, while bi-herbal extracts showed more significant protective effect. Hence may offer a safer therapeutic approach to the treatment of PD and drug induced dyskinesia.