Preliminary Pharmacological Screening of Benincasa hispida Cogn

Abstract

Objective :To carry out the preliminary pharmacological screening of methanolic extract of fruit of Benincasa hispida Cogn. Materials and methods: The extract was tested for effect on general pharmacological effects like spontaneous motor activity, muscle relaxant activity, antihistaminic effect and effect on barbiturate induced hypnosis. Results: The extract caused reduction in spontaneous motor activity with no muscle relaxant activity. The extract significantly potentiated the barbiturate induced hypnosis, and showed significant antihistaminic activity. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of fruit of Benincasa hispida has antihistaminic activity and could be further explored.