Comparative effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria and chlorpromazine on social behaviour and pain

Abstract

Background:Rauwolfia vomitoria has been used in Nigeria to manage psychiatric disorders despite orthodox medicine.Aims:This research was therefore aimed at comparing the effects of R. vomitoria, chlorpromazine and reserpine on social behaviour and pain in mice.Materials and Methods:Ninety male CD-1 mice (32 – 38g body weight) were grouped into 3 with 5 subgroups (n=6) each. Mice were given chlorpromazine (0.0, 0.25, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mg/kg i.p.), 30 minutes before testing and R. vomitoria (0.0, 0.25, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and reserpine (0.0, 0.1, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 mg/kg, i.p) 24 hours before testing. Nesting score assessed social behaviour while the tail flick and hot plate analgesiometers assessed pain.Results:Chlorpromazine dose-dependently decreased nesting score (F4,25 = 5.5660; p< 0.01), indicating decreased social behaviour (social loss) in the mice. Although R. vomitoria did not affect nesting score, reserpine decreased the nesting score (social loss). In the pain test, chlorpromazine did not alter tail flick latency but decreased hind paw lick latency in the hot plate at 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg (p< 0.01), indicating increased pain sensitivity at these doses which may indirectly increase social withdrawal and thus aggravating depression. R. vomitoria however, increased tail flick and hind paw lick latencies in the hot plate test (p< 0.05) indicating decreased pain sensitivity. Reserpine, like R. vomitoria, increased latency of hind paw lick in the hot plate.Conclusion:R. vomitoria has a high potential as an antipsychotic and may have advantage over chlorpromazine; it is not necessary to isolate active components from this herb.

Effects of co-treatment of <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria</i> and <i>Gongronema latifolium</i> on neurobehaviour and the neurohistology of the cerebral cortex in mice

“…The present study is in line with a previous report where the same treatment regimes did not affect the behaviour of the mice 22 . However, the present study is at variance with another report where lower treatment regimes of R. vomitoria administered intraperitoneally on CD1 mice decreased these anxiety related behaviours 11 . This difference may be due to the route of administration, as intraperitoneal route may provide an easy avenue to the systemic circulation 31 .…”

Rauwolfia vomitoria and Gongronema latifolium extracts influences cerebellar cortex

“…RV has been reported to induce a wide range of physiological, biochemical and structural alteration in the brain [10,20,22], and its sole use by locals in psychiatry management pose a threat to the normal function of the cerebellar cortex. While GL is reported with little or a.…”

“…The use of such plant as Rauwolfia vomitoria and Gongronema latifolium has been on the increase due to their known medicinal values. R. vomitoria and G. latifolium show promises as antioxidants, anti-diabetics and analgesics among others [7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…The root bark is extensively used, and this is reported to contain alkaloids such as; ajmaline, ajmalicine, reserpine, serpentine, serpentinine, yohimbine, among others [13][14][15]. It is reported that RV is effective as an analgesic, anticonvulsant, and antipsychotic among others [10,16,17]. Ekong et al [18] on the other hand reported no adverse effect on behavioural and biochemical parameters; however, adverse effects of this plant have been reported.…”

Teratogenic Effects of Crude Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on the Femur of Albino Wistar Rat Fetuses

“…Reports show that this herb lowers blood pressure [2] and possesses analgesic, haematinic, and anticonvulsant properties [3][4][5]. Antioxidant and antipsychotic properties have also been reported [6,7], with another study reporting improvement of immunity [8]. Rauwolfia is reported to contain indole alkaloids which includes yohimbine, reserpine, rescinnamine, raucaffricine, ajmaline, and ajmalicine [9].…”