Adaptogenic Potential of Pithecellobium Dulce Fruit Extract: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Pithecellobium dulce fruit (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of many clinical conditions in India. Its adaptogenic potential activity has been investigated in this study using albino mice and rats. The methanolic extract of Pithecellobium dulce fruit was prepared and subjected to preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening. Flavanoids, Tannins and Alkaloids were found to be present. Acute toxicity studies were carried out in albino mice. The methanolic extract did not show the lethal effect at a dose of 2000mg/kg body weight with no signs of abnormalities or any mortality observed for 14 days period. Anoxia stress tolerance test, Swimming endurance test, Immobilisation stress models were used to investigate the adaptogenic potential of title plant. The results indicate that pretreatment with methanolic extract of fruit of Pithecellobium dulce exhibited significant adaptogenic potential activity at the tested doses of 125mg/ kg and 250 mg/ kg 500 mg/kg. On the basis of results, it was concluded that Pithecellobium dulce fruit possess adaptogenic potential activity.

Keywords: Pithecellobium dulce fruit, anoxia stress tolerance test, swimming endurance test model, Immobilization stress.