The Effect Of Acute And Chronic Administration Of The Aqueous Extract Of Triphala On Haloperidol Induced Catalepsy In Mice

Neuroleptics that are commonly used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other affective disorders are often associated with distressing extrapyramidal side effects (catalepsy). Catalepsy induced by neuroleptics in animals has been used as a model for the extrapyramidal side effects associated with antipsychotic agents in human beings. In the present study, we have attempted to evaluate the protective effect of Triphala on haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice. Inbred albino mice were divided into five groups, each containing six animals. Both, the test drug, the aqueous extract of Triphala and the standard drug scopolamine were dissolved in 1% gum acacia solution. Catalepsy was induced with haloperidol (1mg/kg). The first group received the vehicle (10ml/kg), the second group received scopolamine (1mg/kg) and the remaining three groups of animals received the test compound, Triphala (2.5, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg respectively) orally. In the acute study, a single dose of vehicle and the test drug were administered, while in the chronic study, they were given once a day for seven days, 30 minutes prior to haloperidol administration. Catalepsy was determined by the standard bar test after 30 minutes of haloperidol administration and was scored as described by Ahtee and Benumbe. In the acute study, the aqueous extract of Triphala at all the doses tested, significantly (P<0.01) reduced the cataleptic score after the latency of 60 minutes. However, in the chronic study, the reduction in the cataleptic score was seen throughout the period of observations. These effects were comparable to that produced by the standard drug scopolamine. Pretreatment of Triphala decreased haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice, which is comparable to that produced by the standard drug scopolamine. Triphala seems to be more effective when it is repeatedly administered than with a single administration. It can be used as an alternative drug or with a combination of currently available drugs in treating drug induced extrapyramidal side effects.