SOME NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF CUSSONIA BARTERI SEEMAN (ARALIACEAE) IN LABORATORY ANIMALS
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
- Abstract : Available
- Table of Content: Available
- Reference Style: APA
- Recommended for : Student Researchers
- NGN 5000
ABSTRACT
Cussonia barteri is used in traditional medicinefor the management of convulsion and epilepsy, especially in children in Ghana and Nigeria. Literature survey revealed that the safety and efficacy of such important medicinal plant have not been scientifically validated. In the present study, ethanolic leaf extract of the plant was subjected to toxicological and some neuropharmacological studies in laboratory animals (mice, rats and chicks) to determine its safety and justify its use in traditional medicine for the management of epilepsy. Theacute toxicity study was carried out in mice (i.p) and rats (oral) using method of Lorke (1983)and 28 days sub-acute toxicity study was performed in rats. Effects of the extract on body weight, relative organs weight, haematological and biochemical parameters were examined following 28 days of daily oral administration of graded doses of it in rats.The extract was evaluated for anticonvulsant activities using maximal electroshock test in chicks, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), picrotoxin, strychnine, isoniazid and aminophyllineinduced seizure in mice.The sedative and anxiolytic effect of the extract was tested on diazepam-induced sleeping time, hole-board, beam walking assay and open field test in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the extract suggested contains flavonoid, saponin, cardiac glycosides, tannins, steroids/terpenoids and glycosides. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) of the extractwas estimated to be greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight while the intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD50) was estimated to be 2,154.1 mg/kg in mice.The extract neither produces significant changes in body weights nor affected the haematological and biochemical parameters, but slightly increased the relative weight of the brain, liver and heart. Histopathological evaluation of the organs showed that vii the morphology of kidney, liver and lungs were adversely affected, suggesting that the extract could be toxic to the liver, kidney and lungs.The extract did not protect the chicks against maximal electroshock seizure; neither didit shorten the mean recovery time. Similarly, the extract did not significantly protect against picrotoxin, isoniazid and aminophylline induced seizures in mice. The extract produced 66.67% and 83.33% protection against strychnine and pentylenetetrazole induced seizures respectively at the highest dose (400mg/kg) tested which suggests that the extract may contain compound(s) that may be beneficial in the management of absence or myoclonic seizures. The extract decrease the number of head dips in hole-board test, suggesting its sedative property which was confirmed by the ability of extract to prolonged diazepam sleeping time.The extract did not significantly increase the time spent on the beam but at the highest dose tested significantly increased the number of foot slips, an index of motor coordination deficit. The extract insignificantly decreased number of rearing, Total Square and Central Square crossedin an open field test. These findings suggest that the ethanolic leaf extract of Cussonia barteri contain bioactive compound(s) that possesses anticonvulsant and sedative activities, thus supportingthe ethno-medical use of the plant for the management of epilepsy. However, the ethanolic leaf extract of Cussonia barteri may have some adverse effects on the liver, kidney and lungs and should be used with caution.
Related Project Materials
An Evaluation of Nigerian Language Innovation on Social Media: A Study of Instagram and Facebook Posts
Background of the Study
Language innovation on social media is reshaping communication practices across Nigeria. Instagram...
The effect of credit risk assessment on investment banking performance: a case study of United Bank for Africa
Background of the Study
Credit risk assessment is a critical component of investment banking, determining the potential ri...
An Assessment of Loan Repayment Default Rates Among SMEs: A Case Study of LAPO Microfinance Bank, Enugu State
Background of the Study
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical drivers of economic growth and employment generation in Nigeria....
The impact of mother tongue on students’ academic performance in primary education in Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State.
Background of the Study
Language plays a fundamental role in cognitive development and academic learning, particularly in primary educati...
Challenges and Opportunities in Print Media Advertising in Lafia Local Government, Nasarawa State
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Print media advertising has long been a cornerstone of revenue generation...
THE ROLE OF FUND ACCOUNTANTS IN FUND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Abstract: THE ROLE OF FUND ACCOUNTANTS IN FUND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
This study aims to: (1) evaluate the role of fund accountants in fund...
The Role of Internal Communication in Enhancing Employee Performance: A Study of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State
Chapter One: Introduction
The Impact of Regulatory Changes on IFRS Implementation in Nigeria
Background of the Study
The adoption and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Nigeria has been influen...
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEER INFLUENCE, PARENTAL SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Background to the study
Adolescents have always been exposed to peer influence and parental support, but the kinds of pe...
Impact of Managerial Accounting Practices on SME Sustainability Across Northern Nigeria
Background of the Study
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Nigeria face n...
