Psychopharmacological properties of an aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum Hutch. & Dalziel in mice

Abstract

The extract of the nut of Tetracarpidium conophorum (TC), commonly known as African walnut, is widely used to relieve pain, increase sperm count, enhance sexual performance in males and as a nerve tonic in ethnomedicine. This study describes the psychopharmacological properties of the aqueous extract of the nut of TC in mice. The spectrum of activities studied were the effects of TC on the duration of immobility in the forced swim test of the behavioural despair model of depression; prolongation of the duration of sleep produced by thiopentone; amphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour; and on pain episodes produced by acetic acid and by formalin. Orally administered TC (50-200 mg/kg) produced a significant and dose-related decrease in the duration of immobility in the forced swim test in mice. TC also exhibited analgesic property, as shown by its ability to reduce the frequency of abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid and to inhibit the nociceptive responses produced by formalin. However, at the tested oral doses of 50-200 mg/kg, TC did not prolong the duration of sleep produced by thiopentone nor alter the pattern of the stereotyped behaviour induced by amphetamine. This investigation provides evidence that may support the ethnomedicinal applications of the extract of the nut of TC in the treatment of pain. The study also revealed that TC seems to demonstrate antidepressant-like activity, as evidenced by its ability to shorten the period of immobility in the forced swim test; however, further studies are necessary to clearly define the role of TC in depression.

Antinociceptive and neuropharmacological activities of methanol extract of Phoenix sylvestris fruit pulp

“…In addition, MEPS significantly decreased latency time and increased the sleeping time in sodium thiopental-induced sleeping time test (Table 9 ) suggesting its possible sedative effect. CNS depressant and sedative drugs potentiate the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated post synaptic inhibition via allosteric modification of GABA receptors as well as decrease the sleep latency and increase sleeping time (Sieghart and Sperk, 2002 ; Aladeokin and Umukoro, 2011 ; O'Donnell and Shelton, 2011 ). Therefore the significant decrease of locomotion and sleep enhancement activity of MEPS reveals its potential action on GABA receptors.…”

A Comprehensive Review on Chemical and Pharmacological Potential of Viola betonicifolia: A Plant with Multiple Benefits

“…Central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. In animal models, the prolongation in mobility period shows antidepressant activity, while shortening in mobility time shows the central nervous system depression-like state [56]. No antidepressant effect was observed in comparison with standard fluoxetine because all tested doses of the hexane fraction failed to shorten the duration of immobility.…”

Histochemical assessment of Moringa – oleifera oil and walnut oil on cadmium induced lateral geniculate body damage in developing male Wistar rats (Rattus novergiccus)

“…Black walnut, Juglansnigra, is an abundant tree of the eastern deciduous forest region of North America (Jelodar et al,2007). The African walnut has indigenous names such as Ukpa (Igbo), Asala (Yoruba) and Hawuusa (Hausa) in Nigeria (Aladeokin and Umukoro, 2011). The walnut kernels have high oil content and were a favorite food of Amerindians (Crews et al,2005).…”