Some Central Nervous System Effects of the aqueous Extract of the Leaves of Phyllanthus Amarus Schum, (Euphorbiaceae).

The leaves of Phyllanthus amarus is used in Southern Nigeria to treat variety of diseases including epilepsy. The aqueous extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus was investigated for some central nervous system effects. Two animals models (maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion), were used for the anticonvulsant screening in mice. The influences of the extract on barbiturate-induced sleeping time and on motor coordination were investigated in rats and mice respectively. The extract protected the animals against maximal electroshock-induced convulsion at the doses of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg that were used, but could not protect the animals against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion at these two doses. However, higher doses of 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg only provided a marginal protection of 20% and 40% to the animals against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion. The extract neither prolonged barbiturate-induced sleeping time nor did it impair the motor co-ordination ability of the animals on the Ugo Basile rotarod rotating at 6rpm. The results have shown that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus contains some active principles that have anticonvulsant effect and protect mainly against maximal electroshock-induced convulsion, without depressing the central nervous system.Key Words: Phyllanthus amarus, Anticonvulsant Activity, Sleeping Time, Sedatio

The Effects of the Aqueous Root Extract of Cocos Ucifera on the Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile of Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Cocus nucifera Linne., (Arecaceae or Palm family) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several disorders including diabetes mellitus. The root of the plant was extracted using distilled water and the aqueous root extract was then investigated for hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (40 mg/kg i.p) in overnight fasted albino male rats. Dose dependent studies for 100, 200, 400 for the extract and 5 mg/kg of glibenclamide were then carried out to ascertain the effect of the extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels as well as levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL were also determined. Oral administration of the aqueous root extract caused a significant reduction in the blood glucose levels at 200 mg/kg (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.0001) from the 4th; to about the 24th hour. Also a significant reduction (p<0.05) in total cholesterol was also noted. Flavonoids, saponins and carbohydrates present in the extract were proposed to be responsible for the observed effects. The effects were comparable with the standard drug: glibenclamide