Anticonvulsant activity of aqueous fraction of Carissa edulis root bark. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ya'u, J.; Yaro, A. H.; Malami, S.; Musa, M. A.; Abubakar, A.; Yahaya, S. M.; Chindo, B. A.; Anuka, J. A.; Hussaini, I. M.
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 53:Number 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1329
• Page End: 1338
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.981280
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: <italic>Carissa edulis</italic> Vahl (Apocynaceae) is used in Nigerian folk medicine to manage a plethora of diseases including epilepsy, cancer, and inflammation; its efficacy is widely acclaimed among communities of northern Nigeria.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: This study establishes anticonvulsant activities of aqueous fraction of ethanol root bark extract of <italic>Carissa edulis</italic> (RAF) and sub-fractions (S1 and S2) in animal models.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: We evaluated the acute toxicity of the RAF, S1 and S2, and the anticonvulsant activity using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), picrotoxin, strychnine, <italic>N</italic>-methyl-<sc>d</sc>-aspartate (NMDA), isoniazid (INH), and aminophylline-induced seizures in mice. Their effects on maximal electroshock (MES) and kindling-induced seizures were studied in chicks and in rats, respectively, and in the electrophysiological study. The doses used for RAF were 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg while S1 and S2 were 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg. Both RAF and sub-fractions were administered once during the experiment.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: The intraperitoneal LD<sub>50</sub> of the RAF was estimated to be 2222.61 mg/kg and that of the S1 and S2 were above 5000 mg/kg. RAF protected the mice by 50% while sub-fractions by 16.67% against PTZ-induced seizures. RAF offered 33.33 and 16.67% protection against strychnine and NMDA models, respectively. However, RAF offered 66.67–33.33% protections against aminophylline-induced seizures at doses of 150 and 600 mg/kg, but RAF, S1, and S2 had no effect on MES-induced seizures.</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusion</italic>: Our results validate the use of the plant traditionally in the management of epilepsy, thus supporting the appraisal of biologically active components of this plant as antiepileptic agents.</p> </abstract>