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Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae) is used in Ibibio ethnomedicine for the treatment of various diseases such as CNS disorders. The ethanol leaf extract of Saccharum officinarum (170, 340 and 510 mg/kg) was investigated for antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities in Swiss albino mice (20-25 g). Open field, force swimming and tail suspension tests were used to assess antidepressant activity, while pentylenetetrazol and aminophylline-induced convulsion models were used to assess anticonvulsant activity. The extract significantly (p<0.05-0.01) decreased the frequency of line crossing, rearing and walling activities of mice in open field test and also decreased significantly (p<0.05 -p<0.001) the duration of immobility of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests. The extract significantly (p<0.005 -p<0.001) offered protection against PTZ-and aminophylline-induced convulsions in mice. The findings of this study suggest that the leaf extract of S. officinarum has antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities and these supports its use in ethnomedicine for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

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