Figure 5

Hypnotic activity of NKB was performed using pentobarbital induced sleeping time test (A). The dose of NKB was used as 100 mg/kg/day. NKB showed significant effect similar to diazepam. Metabolic study was conducted by observing survival time in seconds in the hypoxic condition (B). Mice were treated low (100 mg/kg/day), medium (200 mg/kg/day) and high doses (400 mg/kg) (P < 0.05). Neuropharmacological activity was studied for NKB using rotarod (C). Toxicity of the NKB was screened through gastrointestinal motility (D) and gastric emptying rate (E). Active metabolites of Jatamansone of Nardostachys jatamansi DC; 3,4,5-trimethyl benzoic acid (structure shown, A) ester of reserpic acid, an indole derivative of 18-hydroxy yohimbine type of Rauvolfia serpentina (L.), mangiferin, xanthones of Canscora decussata (Roxb.) Schult, crude fine powder and alcoholic extraction of Canscora decussata (Roxb.) Schult., cannabidiol, and cannabinol of Cannabis sativa Linn., isolated constituted of the rhizomes, asarone and β-asarone of Acorus calamus Linn. may be the principle cause to show the hypnotic activity. However, the use of the plant Acorus calamus Linn. is not recommended in the NKB formulation due to its immunosuppressive activity, diarrhea and dysentery.