Ataxia syndrome which is characterized by sudden onset of severe
muscular tremor and gait ataxia has been shown to be associated with
the consumption of the larvae of Anaphe venata in South
Western part of Nigeria. In this report, the sub-acute toxicity and
biochemical effects of polar and non-polar extracts of Anaphe venata
larvae were investigated in mice. The sub-acute toxicity study showed
an increase in the behavioural components as tremor, jerking and
stretching, after the administration of the extracts for 7 days, an
indication of Ataxia syndrome. Also, no significant difference in these
components occurred between polar and non-polar extracts, an indication
of similarity in the chemical composition and level of toxicity. There
was a corresponding increase in enzymatic activities coupled with
increase in weight of essential organs investigated, but not
significantly different from the controls. However, the involvement of
receptors and neurotransmitters, in the action of the extracts to cause
ataxia syndrome require further investigation
