The Activities of the Central Nervous System Following Ethyl Acetate Extract of Mucuna pruriens Seed Administration in Male BALB/c Mice

Abstract

A number of reports showed the beneficial psychotropic effects of many of the Nigerian medicinal plants, but few scientific studies have been carried out as empirical evidence. This study investigated the possible neurobehavioural effects of ethyl acetate extract of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed in male BALB/c mice. Male BALB/c mice (2½-3 months old) were grouped into 5 (n=6), treated with normal saline (0.1 mL), n-propanol extract of MP (200, 100, 50 mg/kg) or reference drug haloperidol (HP) or diazepam (DZP); thereafter, subjected to diverse behavioural models to evaluate the central nervous system (CNS) effects of the extract. A bolus of MP (200, 100, and 50 mg/kg) decreased the rectal temperature, exploratory activities (locomotion, rearing and grooming), anxiety-like responses (% open-arms time, open-arm entries, and the total number of enclosed arms times). Additionally, a one-shot of intraperitoneal administration of MP decimated the total score of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviours. Latency to hexobarbitone-induced sleep increased significantly in the 200 mg/kg MP, unchanged in the 100 mg/kg MP, and decreased in the 50 mg/kg MP treated groups. There was a marked decrease in the markers of convulsion (tonic flexion, extension, clonic convulsion, stupor, and recovery time) following MP treatment, especially the higher doses (200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg). In conclusion, the CNS effects of systemic administration of MP seed are not unrelated to its hypothermic, hypnotic, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects.