Evaluation of the Sedative and Anticonvulsant Properties of Three Cameroonian Plants

Abstract

Millettia thonningii, Ocinum sanctum and Securitaca longepedunculaca are used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat epilepsy, insomnia and headaches. Animal models of epilepsy (maximal electroshock (MES), n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), isonicotinic hydrazide acid (INH), picrotoxine (PIC) and strychnine (STR)-induced convulsions or turning behavior were used to evaluate anticonvulsant activity while diazepam-induced sleep test was used to evaluate sedative activity of the plants. Four doses of extracts were used for each plant (100, 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg). At a dose of 1000 mg/kg, Millettia thonningii protected 60 and 90% of mice against MES and PTZ-induced convulsions, respectively. At the same dose, Millettia thonningii also protected 80% of mice against NMDA-induced turning behavior. At a dose of 1000 mg/kg, Ocinum sanctum provided complete protection against MES, PIC and STR-induced convulsions and 83.3% of protection in PTZ test. Securitaca longepedunculata completely protected (100%) mice in PIC test at a dose of 200 mg/kg, in MES test at a dose of 500 mg/kg and in PTZ test at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. 66.7% of mice were protected against STRinduced convulsions. All the three plants showed also sedative properties for they increased significantly and in a dose dependent manner the total sleep time induced by diazepam. The total sleep time of the control groups was multiplied by a factor of 3 at least by each extract. The presence of sedative and anticonvulsant activity in the three plants could explain their use in traditional medicine in the treatment of epilepsy and insomnia in Cameroon.

Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae): A review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicology

“…The aqueous extract of the root exhibited anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative activities against mice in a dose dependent manner (Adeyemi et al, 2010;Okomolo et al, 2011), suggesting that the plant extract may be used in the management of convulsion and psychosis.…”

GABA content and an antioxidant profile positively correlated with the anticonvulsive activity of Microcos paniculata in acute seizure mice

“…Seizure severity was measured up to the point where the maximal effect was reached using the following stages: stage 1: fictive scratching; stage 2: tremors, head nodding; stage 3: forelimb clonus; stage 4: continuous rearing, falling; stage 5: tonic-clonic seizures with hind limb extension, stupor, or jumping. The percentages of deaths occurring in the GII group were taken as 100% [ 27 ].…”

The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Similarly, recent studies report leaf extracts from ethanolic and aqueous tulsi protects rats from stress-induced cardiovascular changes [48, 49]. Studies in animal models have further shown that the leaf extract of tulsi possesses anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activities [50, 51]. Several animal studies conducted over the past fifty years report that ingestion of tulsi leaves improves both glucose and lipid profiles in normal and diabetic-induced animal models [36, 38, 52–58].…”