Neurostimulatory Effect of Methanolic Extract of Clitoria Ternatea (L.) Leaves in Swiss Albino Mice: Behavioural and Motor Coordination Assessment

Background & Aim: Clitoria ternatea (L.) (Fabaceae), commonly known as Butterfly Pea or 'Aparajita,' is a well-recognised ethnomedicinal plant in Ayurvedic, Siddha, and folk therapeutic systems for its memory-enhancing and nervine tonic properties. Despite documented nootropic and neuroprotective activities, its neurostimulatory potential remains under-investigated in validated experimental models. The present study was designed to evaluate the central nervous system (CNS) stimulant activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Clitoria ternatea (MECT) using standard behavioural and motor coordination animal models. Methods: Fresh leaves of C. ternatea were collected, shade-dried, and subjected to continuous Soxhlet extraction using methanol (500 mL; 6–8 h; ~65 °C). The crude MECT was screened for phytoconstituents by standard qualitative methods. Swiss albino female mice (20–25 g; n = 6/group) were randomly allocated to four groups: normal control (vehicle), standard caffeine (30 mg/kg, p.o.), MECT 200 mg/kg (p.o.), and MECT 400 mg/kg (p.o.). CNS stimulant activity was assessed using the Open Field Test (OFT; ambulation and rearing counts), Runway Footprint Test (footprint count), Rota-Rod Test (time on rod, seconds), and Grip Strength Wire Test (wire-holding time, seconds). Data were expressed as Mean ± SEM and analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-hoc test (GraphPad Prism 4.0; p < 0.05 considered significant). Results: Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides in MECT. Both doses of MECT produced a statistically significant, dose-dependent increase in locomotor activity (ambulation and rearing in OFT), exploratory behaviour (Runway Test), and motor coordination (Rota-Rod and Grip Strength Wire Test) compared with the normal control (p < 0.001). The higher dose, MECT 400 mg/kg, produced effects comparable to the standard drug caffeine 30 mg/kg across all parameters tested. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea leaves demonstrates significant dose-dependent CNS stimulant activity in mice, warranting further mechanistic and clinical investigations. The activity is attributed to the rich pool of flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic constituents identified in the extract.