ADAPTOGENIC ACTIVITY OF SEEDS OF TRICHOPUS ZEYLANICUS GAERTN, THE GINSENG OF KERALA

The alchoholic extract of seeds of Trichopus zeylanicus showed a potent adaptogenic or antistress properties against a variety of stresses in both rats an dmice. The extract increased the swimming performance of normal and adrenalectomized mice. Significantly; prevented a variety of stress and chemical induced ulcerations in rats and also prevented milk-induced leucocytosis in mice. The extract further reduced the gastric secretary clume, PH and acid output in pylorusligated rat stomach. No mortalitiy was observed upto a dose of 3 g/kg per oral in mice. The study indicated that trichopus zeylanicus seeds induce a state of nonspecific increased resistance against a variety of stress induced biological changes in animals.