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Oxidative stress and neurodegeneration are involved in the initiation of epileptogenesis and progression of epileptic seizures. This study was aimed at investigating the anticonvulsant, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of active fractions isolated from Anthocleista djalonensis root barks in pentylenetetrazole mouse models of epileptic seizures. Bioactive-guided fractionation of Anthocleista djalonensis (AFAD) extracts using acute pentylenetetrazole (90 mg/kg) induced generalised tonic-clonic seizures, which afforded a potent anticonvulsant fraction (FPool 5). Further fractionation of AFAD was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography, which yielded fifteen subfractions, which were chemically characterised. In addition, AFAD was tested against convulsions or spontaneous kindled seizures induced, respectively, by acute (50 mg/kg) or subchronic (30 mg/kg) injection of pentylenetetrazole. Finally, oxidative stress markers, brain GABA content, and neuronal cell loss were evaluated in AFAD-treated pentylenetetrazole-kindled mice. Administration of AFAD significantly protected mice against acute pentylenetetrazole (90 mg/kg)-induced convulsions. In acute pentylenetetrazole (50 mg/kg)-induced hippocampal and cortical paroxysmal discharges, AFAD significantly decreased the number of crisis, the cumulative duration of crisis, and the mean duration of crisis. Additionally, AFAD significantly decreased the number of myoclonic jerks and improved the seizure score in subchronic pentylenetetrazole-induced kindled seizures. The pentylenetetrazole-induced alteration of oxidant-antioxidant balance, GABA concentration, and neuronal cells in the brain were attenuated by AFAD treatment. This study showed that AFAD protected mice against pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptic seizures possibly through the enhancement of antioxidant defence and GABAergic signalling. These events might be correlated with the amelioration of neuronal cell loss; hence, AFAD could be a potential candidate for the treatment of epilepsy.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (Poaceae) is a medicinal plant known for its antimalarial, antipyretic and antifatigue activities in Cameroonian folk medicine. Aim of the study: The aim of this work was to evaluate the prophylactic antimalarial effects of the decoction prepared from the leaves of Cymbopogon citratus on Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in mice and investigate its action on haematological and serum biochemical status. Materials and methods: Swiss mice were treated with Cymbopogon citratus leaf decoction (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and later inoculated with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. The prophylactic antimalarial activity of the decoction was evaluated by determining the parasitaemia, percentage chemosuppression, body weight, body temperature, food and water intake in pretreated parasitised mice. The possible ameliorative effects of the decoction on malaria associated haematological and serum biochemical changes were also assessed. Results: The decoction exhibited a prophylactic activity of 85.32% and its chemotherapeutic effects ranged from 56.88 – 85.32% with maximum effect observed at the highest experimental dose. It significantly inhibited parasitaemia (P < 0.001) compared to the negative control group. Interestingly, treatment of parasitised mice with the decoction significantly restored the malaria modified haematological and biochemical status compared with distilled water-treated parasitised mice. Conclusion: The results of this prophylactic assay indicated that Cymbopogon citratus decoction has antimalarial effects and normalised haematological and serum biochemical aberrations generated by malaria. Hence, Cymbopogon citratus represents a promising source of new antimalarial agents.

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Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditionally, Mimosa pudica Linn. (Fabaceae) is used for its anti-inflammatory, sedative, anxiolytic, antioxidant and antifatigue properties. Aim: To determine the antifatigue effects of Mimosa pudica aqueous extracts in experimental model of weight loaded force swimming test. Materials and methods: Mice were divided into seven groups and treated for 28 consecutive days as follows: groups one and two received orally distilled water (10 mL/kg) and served as normal group and negative control group, respectively. Groups three to six, (test groups) received orally graded doses of Mimosa pudica (20, 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) and group seven (positive control) received vitamin C (50 mg/kg), respectively. One hour after the treatment, mice were subjected to the weight loaded force swimming test with tail load, except for the normal group; and the swimming duration, body weight, food and water intake were measured. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the serum level of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin, and the relative organs weight were measured. Results: Mimosa pudica aqueous extracts significantly and dose-dependently increased the swimming duration and the weight of heart and lungs. The extracts did not induce a significant variation in the level of food and water intake, body weight, and serum of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Conclusion: Pretreatment of mice with Mimosa pudica aqueous extracts was observed to have better antifatigue properties mediated via amelioration of swimming capacity and physical aptitude in the weight loaded force swimming model.