The experimental study had been carried out on Albino rats of weight 100-110gms. The alcoholic extract of the five herbal drugs viz. Bhang (Cannabis sativa), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Jatamansi (Nardostyachya jatamansi), Sarpagandha (Rawolfia serpentina) and Parsik yavani (Hyoscynanus niger) was used. The anesthetic effect were assessed after intra peritoneal injection of aqueous suspension of alcoholic extract of the above five drugs. The time required for the induction of sleep i.e. induction time, dullness time and sleeping time after the injection of the drugs were recorded for the assessment. It was observed that all the drugs increased the sleeping time, but there were some variations in their effect on induction time as well as dullness time. Findings were compared with 4mg/100gm of sodium pentothal; known sedative and anesthetic agent. The attempt had also made to find out whether some of those drugs bring about potentiating effect with 2mgs/100gms of sodium pentothal. Only three drugs out of five viz. Bhanga, Vacha & Jatamansi were injected to animals in the dose of 30mg/100gm along with sodium pentothal in the dose of 2mgs/100gms. Finally it was found that Bhanga was most sedative for long period as compare to other. Jatamansi potentiate the action of sodium pentothal. Vacha was 3rd sedative drug in five compared drugs. Sarpagandha and Parsik yavani were very less effect of the sedation. Lastly it had reported that Bhang and Jatamansi had got definite anesthetic properties.

Key Words Albino rats, Bhanga, Jatamansi, Parsik yavani, Sarpagandha, Sodium pentothal, Vacha.