Study of Antiemetic Potential of Ruta graveolens Extracts by Copper Sulphate and Brassica campestris Induced Emesis in Chicks

The antiemetic effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of R. graveolens in young chicks was investigated. In addition, the phytochemical screening of the test plant and its acute toxicity studies were also conducted. Different doses of the extracts were tested for their antiemetic properties and were compared with the positive control antiemetic drug Chlorpromazine (150 mg/kg), Metoclopramide (50 mg/kg) and an untreated control (normal saline) against copper sulphate and Brassica-induced emesis. The phytochemical screening of R. graveolens showed that it contains certain alkaloids and flavonoids. It was found to be safe up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. The aqueous extracts in 50 and 150 mg/kg doses produced 41.49% and 66.49% inhibition of emesis, respectively by copper sulphate-induced emesis, while 34.66% and 57.95% inhibition of emesis, respectively by B. campestris-induced emesis. The methanolic extracts of Ruta graveolens in 50 and 150 mg/kg doses produced 46.80% and 70.20% inhibition of emesis, respectively by copper sulphate-induced emesis while 31.95% and 61.94%, respectively in Brassica campestris-induced chick emesis model. These results have suggested R. graveolens possess significant antiemetic properties that implicate its use as traditional medicine to treat emesis. However, further studies are needed to isolate the active principle(s) i.e. flavonoids contained in the plant drug tested and its real safety and efficacy as antiemetic agent.