Exploring the possibility for neurobehavioural impairment of aqueous ethanolic extracts of leaf/seed of asparagus racemosus, Anogeissus latifolia Roxb, and Phyllanthus niruri growing on ipomoea carnea tree in mice

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the liability and extracts of some medicinal plants for some neurobehavioural toxicities in mice. The results indicate, compared to negative control (distilled water) treatment mean values of 4.69±0.95 % locomotory activity reduction, 430.71±16.80 sec. sleep onset and 168.43±10.56 min. duration, 5.00±0.00 balance/motor co-ordination performance, and 54.41±1.99 novel object recognition, treatments with high oral doses of Phyllanthus niruri and Asparagus racemosus (1500 mg/kg each) did not significantly negatively impact these behavioural indices but even enhanced novel object recognition. High oral doses of Anogeissus latifolia Roxb and Ipomoea carnea (750 mg/kg each), and tramadol (133 mg/kg) caused significant (p<0.05) 42.24±2.64, 27.73±2.17, and 36.74±4.44, mean % locomotory activity reductions, 196.86±10.12, 193.88±15.39, and 189.14±18.31 sec. mean sleep onsets and 319.71±18.85, 309.57±20.27, and 356.00±26.01 min. mean sleep durations, 1.67±0.42, 1.30±0.40, 1.833±0.48 mean balance/motor co-ordination performances, and 40.49±5.45, 31.33±5.23, 19.37±3.96 mean novel object recognitions, respectively. Diazepam (2 mg/kg) treatment caused 33.71±2.19 mean % locomotory activity reduction, 1.33±0.49 mean balance/motor co-ordination performance, and 29.91±2.81 mean novel object recognitions. Additionally, most mouse groups exposed to tramadol, Anogeissus latifolia Roxb leaf and Phyllanthus niruri displayed unusual (hallucination-like, predator-like) fearful trepidations when in proximity with the novel objects. The results of this study suggest that extracts of Ipomoea carnea and Asparagus racemosus may not possess sedative, hypnotic, myo-relaxant, or anti-cognitive properties. However, extracts of tramadol, diazepam, Anogeissus latifolia Roxb, and Phyllanthus niruri may exhibit notable sedative, hypnotic, myo-relaxant, and anti-cognitive effects. The results of this study provide support for the historical use of Asparagus racemosus seed and Anogeissus latifolia Roxb leaf extracts in the management of memory impairments and associated neurological conditions.