Abstract
The central effects of the flowers of Jasminum offcinale were investigated in normal and aggressive mice. The ethanolic extract of the flowers potentiated pentobarbitone sleeping time but had no direct anaesthetic effect. It induced quiescence and drowsiness, decreased exploratory combative-ness in aggressive mice. Myorelaxation appears not to be implicated in the reduced activities of the animals. No protection against strychnine-induced seizures was afforded by extract. These findings indicate the presence of component(s) in the flowers of J. offcinale with CNS depressant effect, thus validating the use of jasmin flowers as a sedative in traditional medicine.