An experimental evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Caralluma dalzielii N.E. Brown

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological RelevanceCaralluma dalzielii belongs to the family of Asclepiadiaceae. It is a succulent perennial plant widely distributed across the Sahel region from Senegal to Northwest Nigeria. Extracts from Caralluma dalzielii are used traditionally in the treatment of pain, infertility, epilepsy and other neurological diseases. Aim of the studyThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant effects of aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Caralluma dalzielii using various experimental models. Materials and methodsThe anticonvulsant effect of the plant extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o) were assessed using maximal electroshock (MES) model in chicks, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and strychnine (STN)-induced seizures models in mice. Diazepam-induced sleep in chicks was used to study the sedative property of the plant. In the anticonvulsant and sedative property studies, the onset and duration of seizures and sleep were recorded respectively. The oral acute toxicity study was assessed. The extract was screened preliminarily for its phytochemicals and was further analysed using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify its major chemical components. ResultsThe oral acute toxicity studies showed that the LD50 was greater than 5000 mg/kg in mice. Pre-treatment of mice with the aqueous extract of Caralluma dalzielii produced a dose-dependent protection against PTZ-induced seizures and mortality with 100% protection at the highest dose of the extract. The extract also significantly increased the latency/onset of myoclonic jerks and reduced the duration of tonic seizures dose dependently. In STN-induced seizure, the extract had no protection against seizure induction similar to diazepam the positive control. However, it significantly (p < 0.05) prolonged the latency of seizure and increased the survival time before death in a dose dependent manner. Caralluma dalzielii had zero protection against maximal electroshock. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides and phenols. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of some compounds. ConclusionThe extract of Caralluma dalzielii possesses anticonvulsant activity with less marked sedative activity. It also contains several phytochemicals which may be responsible for the activity. This study serves to validate the use of this plant in folkloric medicine for the treatment of epilepsy and convulsions.