ABSTRACT
This study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of methanolic leave extract of Paullinia pinnata L. in mice. The elevated plus-maze and staircase paradigm were used to assess the anxiolytic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata and diazepam. The results of the elevated plus-maze test showed that the extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg and diazepam significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.005) increased both the number of entries and time spent in the open arm by mice. In staircase paradigm, the extract produced a significant (P<0.05-P<0.0005) dose dependent decrease in the number of steps ascended and number of rearing events compared to the control mice. Diazepam significantly (P<0.0005) reduced the number of rearing events compared to control. The result of the present preliminary study suggests that methanolic leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata may possess an anxiolytic activity.
ABSTRACT
Ficus abutilifolia, belonging to the family Moraceae is a small to medium sized tree that grow mostly in the African continent. It was reported to be used traditionally, in promoting fertility in humans and in the treatment of skin wart and management of epilepsy. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of the powdered root revealed the presences of flavonoids, saponins and tannins among others. The intraperitoneal LD50 of the 70% aqueous ethanol extract was found to be 2154.1 mg/Kg in mice. The anticonvulsant studies of the extract revealed that a single administration (at the dose of 100 – 400 mg/Kg) produced a dose-dependent protection against MEST; however, the extract did not offer significant protection against pentylenetetrazole- and 4- amino pyridine–induced seizures. These finding suggest some level of protection by the aqueous ethanol extract against MES induced seizure in chicks, thereby giving support to the traditional claim for the use of the plant in the treatment and/or management of convulsion and epilepsy.
ABSTRACT
The psychopharmacological effects of a saponin-rich fraction (SFG) obtained from crude methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla stem bark were studied on spontaneous motor activity (SMA); pentobarbitalinduced sleep; motor coordination; amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotyped behaviour; catalepsy; forced swim and tail suspension tests in rodents. SFG reduced SMA dose dependently; suggesting that it may contain psychoactive principles with sedative effects. The fraction shortened the onset and prolonged the duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep; which confirmed its sedative properties. The fraction diminished immobility time in forced swim and tail suspension tests; which is indicative of antidepressant properties. It attenuated amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotyped behaviour; induced catalepsy and exacerbated haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rodents; but had no effect on motor coordination in the treadmill experiment at the doses tested. These effects were similar to those of classical neuroleptics and antidepressants. Our study provides scientific evidence of psychopharmacological effects of the saponin fraction of Ficus platyphylla stem bark and therefore supports further development of its psychoactive components as antipsychotics and antidepressants
Subject(s)
Depression , Ficus , Psychopharmacology , Saponins , Stereotyped BehaviorABSTRACT
Phytochemical screening was carried out on the ethylacetate portion of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Pseudocedrella kotschyii and then evaluated for its analgesic (acetic acid-induced writhing) and anti-inflammatory (raw egg albumin-induced oedema) activities in mice and rats respectively. Phytochemical screening of the ethylacetate partition portion of ethanolic extract revealed the presence of flavonoids; glycosides and tannins as major chemical constituents. Alkaloids saponins; cardiac glycosides; steroids were not dictated in the extract. The ethylacetate extract (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p) exhibited significant activity (p0.05) against acetic acid-induced writhing in a dose dependent manner. In the anti-inflammatory activity the ethylacetate extract (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) caused a slight effect against the raw egg albumin-induced oedema. The effect was however observed not to be dose dependent. All these effects were compared with standard drug piroxicam (20 mg/kg i.p.)