Protection against generalised seizured by Dalbergia saxatilis (Hook, F.) in the pentylenetetrazole and electroconvulsive models

The aqueous root decoction of Dalbergia saxatilis (DS) is used to manage convulsive disorders in African herbal medicine practice. We had previously reported the anticonvulsant effects of the aqueous root extract of DS against strychnine and picrotoxin seizures. In this study, DS was tested against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizures, and electrically- induced threshold tonic extension (TTE) and kindling seizures in mice. In the PTZ model, DS (50-200 mg/kg) was administered orally to groups of mice, 30 min. before 75 mg/kg PTZ and onset to seizures noted. In the TTE test, foot shock was delivered through an electrode before treatment and 1h post- treatment. Electrical kindling was produced twice daily at 48h interval in groups of mice. Onset to tonic hind-limb extension (THE) was determined, in the kindling experiment. DS produced a dose-dependent protection against PTZ and elevated the TTE. In the electrical kindling, DS retarded the development and progression of THE, but did not produce a significant delay to THE in kindled mice. These results indicate that DS might provide protection against generalized absence and partial seizures, which further justifies its use in the management of epilepsies and convulsions in traditional African medicine. Keywords: Dalbergia saxatilis, generalized seizure, pentylenetetrazole, kindling, electro- foot shock. West African Joural of Pharmacology and Drug Research Vol. 21 (1&2) 2005: pp. 43-4

Mechanistic assessment of the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions of Dalbergia saxatilis in animal models

Context: Aqueous root extract of Dalbergia saxatilis, Hook, f., (Leguminosae) (DS) is reported useful for toothache, pains, and fever, but not scientifically proven. Objective: This study determined its effectiveness in pain, inflammation, and fever, applying scientific models. Materials and methods: Swiss mice or Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 5) were pretreated with distilled water, DS (100 or 200 mg/kg), or standard drug for 30 min. The analgesic activity was measured by acetic acid writhing, tail flick, tail immersion, tail clip, hot plate, and formalin pain tests; anti-inflammatory effects were determined via carrageenan and dextran rat paw oedema tests; antipyretic activity was measured by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (ECL) and turpentine in rabbits, and d-amphetamine sulphate (d-AS) pyrexia test in rats. Results: Writhing frequency inhibition was produced by 200 mg/kg DS (33.10%), aspirin (38.19%) and morphine (93.68%). Unlike morphine, DS did not produce significant prolongation of the reaction times in the hot-plate, tail immersion, tail flick, and tail clip tests. In the first and second phases of formalin test, respectively, % inhibition was: 200 mg/kg DS (25.70% and 0%), aspirin (4.76% and 67.33%), morphine (81.42% and 66.11%); for carrageenan and dextran tests, significant difference was recorded between 200 mg/kg DS and control up to 6 h. Significant reduction in ECL, turpentine and d-AS pyrexia was recorded at 100 and 200 mg/kg DS. Conclusion: DS produces mild non-steroidal analgesic and anti-inflammatory, as well as significant antipyretic actions involving cyclooxygenase, α2 adrenoceptor and interleukin-1 β1 due to any of glycosides, saponins or phenolic tannins

Neuropharmacological Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Bryophyllum Pinnatum in Mice

Effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Bryophyllum Pinnatum   (AEBP) on some neuropharmacological activities were studied in mice. The extract in dosages (50,100 and 200 mg/kg) was found to produce a profound decrease in exploratory activity in a dose-dependent manner. It also showed a marked sedative effect as evidenced by a significant reduction in gross behaviour and potentiation of pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time. It delayed onset in strychnine-and picrotoxin-induced convulsion (seizures) respectively with the protective effect being significantly higher in picrotoxin- than strychnine-induced convulsion. It also decreases the rate of picrotoxin-induced mortality in mice with LD50 of 641mg/kg. The totality of these effects showed that the extract possesses depressant action on the central nervous syste

Effects of aqueous leaf extract of tridax procunbens on blood pressure and heart rate in rats

The Cardiovascular effects of aqueous extract from the leaf of Tridax procumbens were investigated on anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rat. The intravenous administration of 3, 6, and 9mg/Kg of the aqueous extract caused significant decreases in the mean arterial blood pressure in a dose-related manner; i.e. the extract caused greater decrease in the mean arterial blood pressure at higher dose than at lower dose. Also, higher doses of the extract- 6mg/Kg and 9mg/Kg caused significant reductions in the heart rate while lower dose of the extract- 3mg/Kg did not cause any significant change in the heart rate. The hypotensive and the bradycardiac effects were immediate. The hypotensive effect of Tridax procumbens was inhibited by the pretreatment of the animal with atropine sulfate (1mg/kg). These results therefore seem to support the claim that the leaves of Tridax procumbens has hypotensive effect and that the mechanism of its action is possibly through activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors