ABSTRACT:
Recently there has been a shift in universal trend from synthetic to herbal medicine, which we can say ‘Return to Nature’. In this regard India has a unique position in the world, where a number of recognized indigenous systems of medicine viz., Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy are being utilized for the health care of people. Wedelia paludosa (Family Asteraceae), is a reputed medicinal aromatic plant used in traditional system of medicine. The herb is used as a tonic, in Hepatoprotective, Splenomegaly and in skin diseases. The other minor uses are the juice is administered in combination with aromatics for jaundice. The fresh plant is rubbed on the gums in tooth ache and applied with a little oil for headache. The leaves are considered as a tonic, alternative and useful in the cough, cephalgia skin diseases and alopecia. An infusion of the plant is given for swelling in the abdomen. In Assam the plant is used to prevent the effects of bad waters in hill tracts. The leaves are used in dyeing grey hair and in promoting the growth of hair. As a decoction, the plant is used in uterine haemorrhage and menorrhagia. The effect of aqueous extract of Wedelia paludosa leaves were evaluated on stress induced changes in brain neurotransmitters and enzyme monoamine oxidase levels in wistar rats. The extract was found to possess normalizing activity against cold immobilization stress induced changes in dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA), and enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). The results obtained provide biochemical evidence for anti-stress activity of Wedelia paludosa aqueous extract.