Anticonvulsant actions of ethanol stem bark extract of Trichilia roka (Meliaceae) in mice and chicks

Abstract

The current antiseizure drugs present with side effects, some of which can lead to discontinuation of epilepsy pharmacotherapy, and a sizeable number of other drugs being less efficacious. Medicinal plants are used for the treatment of epilepsy in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of the stem bark extract of Trichilia roka in mice and chicks. Anticonvulsant screening was carried using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), strychnine (STN) and picrotoxin (PCT) induced seizures while Maximal electroshock (MEST) test in day old chicks. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts was carried out on the extract using conventional protocols. The LD50 was determined in mice. The intraperitoneal LD50 was calculated to be 118.32 mg/kg in mice. Flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, anthraquinones and steroids were found to be present. Significant (p≤0.05) prolongation of the mean onset of seizures was recorded with Trichilia roka (15 and 30 mg/kg) compared with normal saline treated groups in PTZ induced seizures. Trichilia roka at all the doses tested did not significantly reduce the mean recovery time of seizures induced by MEST. The extract at 7.5 and 15 mg/kg prolonged the latency of convulsion induced by STN. The extract failed to show significant prolongation of the latency of seizures induced by picrotoxin. It can then be inferred, that Trichilia roka contained bioactive constituents that are beneficial in petit mal epilepsy and justify their use in Traditional Medicine.