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Anticonvulsant Effect of the Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Psydrax Subcordata (DC.) Bridson in Murine Models

Samuel Daanaa, Wonder Kofi Mensah Abotsi, Eric Boakye-Gyasi, Eric Woode

J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Mar 1;213:384-394.

PMID: 29183747

Abstract:

Ethnopharmacological relevance:
Psydrax subcordata (DC.) Bridson is a tropical medicinal plant used traditionally for the management of epilepsy. However, there is little scientific evidence to support its use.
Aim of study:
The current study investigated the anticonvulsant properties of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Psydrax subcordata (PSE) in animal models.
Materials and methods:
The anticonvulsant effects were evaluated in mouse models of acute seizures (pentylenetetrazole-, picrotoxin-, 4-aminopyridine-, strychnine- and maximal electroshock-induced seizure tests) and status epilepticus (Lithium/pilocarpine-induced SE). The role of GABAergic mechanisms in the actions of the extract was also examined by pre-treatment of animals with flumazenil in the pentylenetetrazole test.
Results:
The extract (30, 100 and 300mg/kg, p.o.) significantly delayed the onset and decreased the duration and frequency of pentylenetetrazole- and picrotoxin-convulsions. PSE also reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extensions in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test. Furthermore, PSE pre-treatment significantly delayed the onset of seizures and improved survival in the 4-aminopyridine-induced seizure test. In the strychnine-induced seizure test, PSE treatment did not significantly affect the latency to convulsions and time until death when compared to controls. PSE exhibited anticonvulsant effects in the lithium/pilocarpine test by delaying the onset of seizures and status epilepticus as well as reducing the severity of seizures and mortality of mice. Again, the anticonvulsant effect of PSE (100mg/kg, p.o.) was blocked by pre-treatment with flumazenil in the PTZ test.
Conclusion:
PSE has anticonvulsant activity in animal models, and this effect may be mediated, at least partly, through GABAergic mechanisms.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number Product Name Structure CAS Number Price
AP155419-B (−)-Scopolamine methyl bromide (−)-Scopolamine methyl bromide 155-41-9 Price
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