Central nervous system depressant activity of ethanol leaf extract of <I>Globimetula braunii</I> (Engler) (Loranthaceae) growing on <I>Terminalia catappa</I> L. (Combretaceae)

Abstract

<jats:p>This study was carried out to determine phytochemical constituents, median lethal dose (LD50) and central nervous system depressant activity of ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii using laboratory animal models. The intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD50) of ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii was determined in mice according to the method described by Lorke, 1983. The CNS depressant activity of Globimetula braunii leaf extract was determined using diazepam induced sleep, hole board test and beam walk assay. The ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids and glycoside. The intraperitoneal median lethal dose of the leaf extract of Globimetula braunii was estimated to be 2852 mg/kg bodyweight in mice. The ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii significantly (p &lt;0.05) prolonged the duration of sleep in mice at the dose of 800 mg/kg. The extract prolonged the time to complete the beam walk, and exhibited significant decrease in number of head dips there by indicating a decrease in the exploratory behaviour of the animal. This study suggests that Globimetula braunii possesed sedative property.&#x0D; Keywords: Beam walk assay, diazepam induced sleep, hole board test, central nervous system, Globimetula braunii</jats:p>

Central nervous system depressant activity of fractions of Globimetula braunii Engl. (Loranthaceae) growing on Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) and isolation of lupeol

“…Triterpenes were found to be absent in only aqueous fraction (Table 2). As in our earlier study it was reported that ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii contained saponins, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, triterpenes and glycosides [5]. Similarly in the present study ethyl acetate and n-butanol to contain all secondary metabolites that are present in the crude extract.…”

“…From the result obtained n-hexane fraction is relatively safer than the chloroform, ethyl acetate and nbutanol. Moreover, n-hexane fraction has a higher median lethal dose compared to ethanol extract of Globimetula braunii (2800 mg/kg) as reported in previous study [5]. However, there is no significant difference between the normal saline (10 ml/kg) and the two lower doses of the n-hexane fraction (500 and 250 mg/kg) (Figure 1).…”

“…Similarly in the present study ethyl acetate and n-butanol to contain all secondary metabolites that are present in the crude extract. As in our earlier study it was reported that ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii contained saponins, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, triterpenes and glycosides [5].…”

“…Our earlier study on Globimetula braunii revealed that the crude ethanol leaves extract possesses central nervous system depressant activity [5]. The present study therefore aimed to assess the central nervous system depressant activity of the fractions of extract of Globimetula braunii leaves using Diazepam-induced sleep, Hole-board test and Mouse beam-walk assay and to isolate the possible phytochemical constituent(s) present in the most active fraction.…”

Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Globimetula braunii (Loranthaceae): A Review

“…8 Similarly, the ethanol leaf extract of G. braunii (growing on Terminalia catappa) was reported to possess central nervous system depressant activity and the effect was found to be comparable to that of diazepam. 12 Hexane fraction of the ethanol leaf extract of G. braunii (growing on Terminalia catappa) was also found to have significant central nervous system depressant activity. 13 Furthermore, the aqueous extract of G. braunii was found to exhibit oxytocic activity on the uterine smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner; however, the effect was less potent compared to standard oxytocin in an in vitro study.…”