Effect of Combined Crude Extract of Costus afer, Culcasia scaden and Sarcocephalus latifolius on Neurobehaviour and Histology of the Temporal Lobe of Adult Wistar Rats.

Anyanwu G.E,Okoronkwo Samuel O

doi:10.32553/ijmbs.v2i3.22

Abstract

This combined extract is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of psychiatric disorder. This study investigated the effect of combined crude extracts of Costus afer, Culcasia scaden and Sarcocephalus latifolius on neurobehaviour and histology of the temporal lobe. The extract was prepared by mixing equal portions of the three extracts and dosage calculated base on the body weight of the animals. Twenty rats were divided into four groups (n=5) such as A, B, C and D. A served as negative control and was given distilled water. The D group served as positive control and received 2.5mg/kg of Diazepam, while B and C served as the experimental group and received 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg respectively for 14 days. The behavioural assay was carried out using elevated plus maze. The animals were sacrificed and the brains removed and processed using normal histological techniques. The result of the behavioural test showed an increase in close arm entry but when compared to the negative control the extract treated groups made more open arm entry and spent more time in the open arm (open arm activity) but less when compared to positive control (Diazepam). This is a measure of anxiolytic activities of the extract. Therefore the extract possesses anxiolytic property. The extract distorted the histoarchitecture of the temporal lobe showing extensive loss of brain tissues, sparsely dispersed cells, and focal loss of brain tissues at doses of 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg respectively. The extracts conclusively possess the potential to modify neurobehaviour and alter the histology of the temporal lobe.

Highlights

Anxiety is a highly prevalent psychological and physiological state characterized by psychomotor tension, sympathetic hyperactivity and apprehension and vigilance syndromes
Sarcocephalus latifolus and Culcasia scaden are some of the plants that have been used in traditional medicine in Nigeria for the treatment of psychiatric disorders
Plants Collection, Identification and extraction: The fresh leaves of Sarcocephalus latifolius were collected from Isieke campus of Ebonyi state university, Abakaliki, while Culcasia scandens from deparment of plant science, university of Nigeria Nsukka and Costus afer were collected from ukwuakwu Ututu village in Arochukwu L.G.A Abia state, Nigeria

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Anxiety is a highly prevalent psychological and physiological state characterized by psychomotor tension, sympathetic hyperactivity and apprehension and vigilance syndromes. Benzodiazepines have well-known benefits, their side effects are prominent including muscle relaxation, sedation, physical dependence, memory disturbance, tolerance, amnesia, weakness, loss of sexual drive, gastrointestinal effects and changes in body weight and interaction with other drugs [3] In these conditions, the efficacy of such drugs is very limited so the need for newer, bettertolerated and more efficacious treatments remains high. Sarcocephalus latifolus and Culcasia scaden are some of the plants that have been used in traditional medicine in Nigeria for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Costus afer known as ginger lily or bush cane [4] is common in many parts of the world and to the people of Nigeria It is use in traditional medicine for the management of cough, stomach ache, sleeping sickness, diabetes mellitus etc. A combination of these three plants is used in the treatment of psychiatric disorder in some part of south-eastern Nigeria

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scaden

Discussion

Conclusion