NEURO-PSYCOPHARMACOLOGICAL ASPECT OF RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA L. BENTH. EX-KURZ.: AN ENDANGERED PLANT
Pragati Pandey and Tulika Mishra*
ABSTRACT
The Rauwolfia serpentina, belongs to Apocynaceae family; is a well-known medicinal plant since ancient times,
but currently in the need for conservation. It has numerous pharmacological and therapeutic characteristics, which
are mentioned in the Atharva-Ved. It is known as a ‘medullary stimulant’ and possesses neuropsycopharmalogical
properties. The presence of biof-unctional compounds viz: alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides,
phlobatannins, phenols, resins, saponins, sterols, tannins, and terpenes show potential in curing a variety of
ailments. The plant parts, root and rhizome, have been utilized for ages in Ayurvedic remedies to treat a wide
range of ailments including high blood pressure, hypertension, mental agitation, epilepsy, traumas, anxiety,
schizophrenia, sleeplessness and insanity. Clinical and experimental evidences exhibit that Rauwolfia serpentina
has potential for curing mental disorders. Reserpine which is clinically found to have analogy with
Chloropromazine, has potential to cure anxiety disorders and nerve restlessness. The present review aims to
evaluate the neuro-psycopharmacological aspect of Rauwolfia serpentina is like schizophrenia, anxiety,
hyperactivity and other nervous disorders.
Keywords: Neuro-psycopharmacological, Indigenous drug, anxiety, Rauwolfia serpentina, secondary metabolites.
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