Evidence for the involvement of the GABA-ergic pathway in the anticonvulsant activity of the roots bark aqueous extract of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev. (Loganiaceae)

Abstract

The effects of Anthocleista djalonensis suggested the presence of anticonvulsant properties that might involve an action on benzodiazepine and/or GABA sites in the GABAA receptor complex or by modulating GABA concentration in the central nervous system (CNS).

Protective Effects of Anthocleista djalonensis Extracts against Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizures and Neuronal Cell Loss: Role of Antioxidant Defense System

“…The active fractions significantly reduced the number of seizures and ameliorated behavioural seizures in pentylenetetrazole-challenged mice. These results are similar to those reported in our previous research in which Anthocleista djalonensis extracts protected mice against seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole [ 27 ]. Pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling is an experimental model of epilepsy in which chronic chemostimulation of the central nervous system pathway induces a spontaneous hyperexcitable state (kindling and fully kindled seizures, as well as spike waves epilepsy) and well-established generalised tonic-clonic seizures, providing a good evidence to study epileptic disorders [ 10 , 56 ].…”

“…Several mechanisms underlying such effects of Anthocleista djalonensis were previously proposed [ 27 ]. There were two such mechanisms: (1) Anthocleista djalonensis enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibition, reduces repetitive firing, and reduces both inhibition and excitation in neuronal networks and (2) Anthocleista djalonensis enhances the inhibitory action of GABA, decreases inhibition in neuronal networks, and affects calcium ion transport with low activities on repetitive firing [ 27 , 58 ]. The results indicated that AFAD significantly increased the GABA level in the brain tissue identically to those of sodium valproate administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg.…”

“…According to Cameroonian traditional healers, root barks are the preferred part of Anthocleista djalonensis used for the treatment of epilepsy, infantile convulsions, memory impairment, anxiety, depression, and agitation [ 21 – 23 ]. Previous studies performed on qualitative phytochemical analysis of this plant indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, and phenolic compounds in the root barks and leaves [ 19 , 24 – 27 ] in which several classes of compounds are identified (phthalide, xanthone, monoterpene diol, iridoid glucoside, and pentacyclic triterpene). In the past decades, many of the families and classes of compounds have received a great attention owing to their biological properties, including anticonvulsant, antioxidative, immunoregulative, and anti-inflammatory properties [ 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Previous studies performed on qualitative phytochemical analysis of this plant indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, and phenolic compounds in the root barks and leaves [ 19 , 24 – 27 ] in which several classes of compounds are identified (phthalide, xanthone, monoterpene diol, iridoid glucoside, and pentacyclic triterpene). In the past decades, many of the families and classes of compounds have received a great attention owing to their biological properties, including anticonvulsant, antioxidative, immunoregulative, and anti-inflammatory properties [ 27 , 28 ]. In order to understand the mechanisms of action of Anthocleista djalonensis during epileptogenesis and/or epileptic seizures, we isolated some active fractions from the root barks of Anthocleista djalonensis using solvent-guided fractionation and bioassay-guided studies.…”

Prophylactic antimalarial effects of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (Poaceae) in a mouse model of Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection: normalisation of haematological and serum biochemical status

“…The decoction of Cymbopogon citratus was examined for its phytochemical contents as described previously by Taiwe et al [14] and several families of compounds (alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, anthraquinones, 7 saponins, phenols) were screened. A comparative thin layer chromatographic study was also performed to screen the presence of bufadienolides in the decoction of Cymbopogon citratus using anisaldehyde sulphuric acid reagent under UV (254 -365 nm) [14].…”