Evaluation of Anti-Psychotic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Benincasa Hispida Peel in Experimental Animals

Objective: To evaluate the antipsychotic activity of ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida peel using experimental animal models. Methods: The fresh fruits of Benincasa hispida were collected, and washed, and the peels were dried before being ground into a fine powder. The ethanolic extract was obtained by the maceration process. Two doses of Benincasa hispida peel extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight) were administered for 21 days in rats for the pole-climbing avoidance test, and for 15 days in mice for the ketamine-induced stereotypic behaviour model. In the pole-climbing test, Haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) served as the standard antipsychotic drug, while in the ketamine-induced stereotypy model, Olanzapine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as the standard. Results: The ethanolic peel extract of Benincasa hispida (EPBH) exhibited significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) dose-dependent inhibition of conditioned avoidance response (CAR) in rats, demonstrated by the increased time spent on the grid floor of the chamber. In the ketamine-induced stereotypic behaviour model, EPBH administered for 15 consecutive days at two different doses significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) reduced stereotypic behaviours such as falling, weaving, head-bobbing, and turning in mice. The results indicate that Benincasa hispida ethanolic peel extract exerts antipsychotic activity in both models, with the higher dose of 400 mg/kg showing the most pronounced effects. Conclusion: The present study highlights the significant antipsychotic potential of Benincasa hispida peel extract, particularly at the higher dose of 400 mg/kg. While the exact mechanisms underlying its antipsychotic effects remain unclear, these findings warrant further research to isolate and identify the active compounds responsible for its therapeutic effects.