Evaluation of psychopharmacological and neurosafety profile of Swas Kas Chintamani Ras (SKC) in Swiss-Webster mice

OBJECTIVES: Swas Kas Chintamani Ras (SKC) is an ayurvedic preparation indicated for respiratory diseases. Our study was aimed to determine the psychopharmacological and neurosafety profile of SKC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Psychopharmacological effects and neurosafety profile of this drug were determined by nine complementary test methods namely, open field, locomotor activity, hole cross, hole board test, elevated plus maze, staircase, forced swimming test, and rotarod test. Male mice (Swiss-Webster strain, 20-40 g body weight) bred in the Animal House of the Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, were used for the pharmacological experiments. RESULTS: The drug decreased total ambulation and movement in the central region and standing up behavior and lowered emotional defecation. The drug also made the mice to take a shorter time to come out of the cage. Also, animals spent less time in open arm and the movement in the closed arm and locomotors reduced (p=0.003), where a number of rearing (p=0.04) behaviour indicating possible anxiolytic activity. Also, no signs of anti-depressant activity were observed among SKC-treated group. CONCLUSION: We concluded that our drug showed no neurotoxic effect and it also showed some beneficial neuropharmacological properties.