Sedative properties of Mitracarpus villosus leaves in mice

The leaves of Mitracarpus villosus (Sw.) DC. (Rubiaceae) have several therapeutic applications in the West African folk medicine for the management of a plethora of stress-related diseases including headaches. This study was designed to evaluate the sedative properties of the ethylacetate extract of Mitracarpus villosus on open field (OFT), diazepam-induced sleep, staircase climbing, head-dips in the hole-board test and rota rod test in mice. Graded doses (100 – 400 mg/kg) of the extract significantly and dose-dependently prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep (P<0.05), decreased the number of squares crossed in the OFT (P<0.0001), decreased number of head-dips in the hole-board test (P<0.05) and reduced steps climbing (P<0.05) in mice. The extract at the doses tested had no effect on motor coordination as observed in the rota-rod treadmill assay in mice. Our results revealed that the ethylacetate extract of Mitracarpus villosus leaves may contain psychoactive principles that are sedative in nature, thus supporting further development of the psychoactive components of this plant for management of stress-related diseases.Keywords: Mitracarpus villosus, sedation, diazepam, locomotion

Protective effects of the aqueous extract of Nymphaea lotus L. (Nymphaeaceae) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers

Effects of the aqueous extract of Nymphaea lotus were investigated on ethanol induced gastric lesions in rats. The extract (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05), dose dependently, protected the rat gastricmucosa against the necrotising effects of ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes, and had an oral LD50 of >5000 mg/kg. These resultsshows that aqueous extract of Nymphaea lotus contains active ingredients with a therapeutic potential against gastric ulcers, and thus authenticate the use of Nymphaea lotus as an antiulcer agent in traditional medicine.Keywords: Nymphaeae lotus, ethanol-induced gastric ulcers, gastroprotection