Sedative-hypnotic and anti-convulsant evaluation of methanolic extract of the leaves of Calotropis gigantea Linn

The leaves of Calotropis gigantea have been investigated in a systematic way covering its pharmacological aspects in an attempt to rationalize its use as drug in the indigenous system of medicine. The methanolic extract of the leaves was obtained by Soxhlet extractor. It was screened for CNS activity and found to possess sedative-hypnotic and anti-convulsant properties. These activities, when compared to standard drugs Pentobarbitone and Diazepam, were found to be highly significant [p<0.01] for sedative-hypnotic and significant [p<0.02] for anti-convulsant activities respectively