Muscle relaxant and sedative-hypnotic activities of extract of viola betonicifolia in animal models supported by its isolated compound,4-hydroxy coumarin

The crude methanolic extract of the whole plant of viola betonicifolia (vbme) was investigated for anxiolytic,muscle relaxant,sleep induction,antidepressant,and sedative activities) to ascertain its scientific values. vbme showed a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent anxiolytic action in staircase test. in muscle relaxant paradigms,a dose dependent muscle relaxation was observed. for phenobarbitone sleep induction test,vbme notably (p < 0.05) reduced the latency time and increased total sleeping duration. our tested extract was found free of any antidepressant activity,while the movement was significantly (p < 0.05) shortened in locomotor activity. the whole plant of v. betonicifolia led to the isolation of 4-hydroxyl coumarin (4hc) which showed substantial safety profile in acute toxicity test. when challenged in traction and chimney tests,it showed significant (p < 0.05) muscle relaxant effect in both muscle relaxant paradigms at 20 and 30 mg/kg during various assessment times. nevertheless,4hc was devoid of sedative and hypnotic potentials. in conclusion,vbme had strong muscle relaxant and sedative-hypnotic properties,while its isolated compound,4hc,possessed a significant muscle relaxant action with substantial safety profile without sedative-hypnotic effects. © 2013 naveed muhammad et al.