Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the neuropharmacological activities of the ethyl acetate fraction of methanol root bark extract of Securinega virosa using in vivo models in laboratory animals. The fraction (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) did not protect the animals against tonic hind limb extension induced by electroshock but produced a dose-dependently protection of animals against clonic spasm induced by pentylenetetrazole, with the highest protection of 66.67% produced by the highest dose tested. The fraction significantly (P < 0.01) and dose-dependently decreased the mean latency to sleep and increased mean sleep duration in mice treated with ketamine. However, it did not significantly increase the number of foot slips in the beam walking assay. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of Securinega virosa root bark contains bioactive principle (s) that possesses sedative and anticonvulsant activities. Key words: Securinega virosa, traditional medicine, epilepsy, sedative, electroshock, pentylenetetrazole, ketamine.
Highlights
It did not significantly increase the number of foot slips in the beam walking assay. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of Securinega virosa root bark contains bioactive principle (s) that possesses sedative and anticonvulsant activities
ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) did not protect the animals against tonic hind limb extension induced by electroshock; neither did it reduce the recovery time in the unprotected animals
We used maximal electroshock test and pentylenetetrazole induced seizure models to evaluate the anticonvulsant effects of ethyl acetate fraction of methanol root bark extract of S. virosa
Summary
Family: Euphorbiaceae; is a commonly used medicinal plant which has enjoyed wide patronage among traditional practitioners in West Africa It is a dense, low branching, many branched shrub, sometimes a small spreading tree up to about 6 m high, more commonly 2 to 3 m, evergreen or deciduous. The local names of S. virosa in Nigeria include “Tsuwaawun karee, Gussu, Gwiiwar karee” (Hausa), “Iranje” (Yoruba), “Njisi nta” (Ibo), “Shim shim” (Kanuri), “kartfi-kartfi” (Shuwa arabs) and “Camal, cambe, came” (Fulani) (Neuwinger, 1996). The root and leaf decoctions (separately) are drunk for fever in many parts of Africa including the south-western Nigeria. In many parts of Africa including the north Eastern Nigeria, the root and leafy twig decoctions are used for the treatment of epilepsy. The root decoction is used as sedative in children to send them to sleep (Robert, 1961)
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