RESUMEN
Extracts of Feretia apodanthera Del. (Rubiaceae) have been extensively used in traditional Cameroonian medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including some neurological disorders. The present study was aimed to tests the anticonvulsant properties of the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction of the stem barks of Feretia apodanthera. The anticonvulsant investigation was carried out against bicuculline-, picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol-, Methyl-ß-carboline-3-carboxylate-, N-Methyl-D-aspartate-, 4-aminopyridine-, and maximal electroshock-induced seizures or turning behavior in mice. The aqueous extract protected mice against bicuculline-, picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol-, Methyl-ß-carboline-3-carboxylate-, N-methyl-D-aspartate -, 4-aminopyridine- and maximal electroshock-induced seizures or turning behavior. Also, N-Methyl-D-aspartate-, 4-aminopyridine- and maximal electroshock- induced seizures or turning behavior, were significantly antagonized by the alkaloid fraction (80mg/kg) from Feretia apodanthera. The total protection of mice provided by the aqueous extract against convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol or picrotoxin was anagonized by flumazenil, a specific antagonist of the benzodiazepine site in the GABAA receptor complex. The aqueous extract of Feretia apodanthera (but not the alkaloid fraction) increased the brain GABA content and inhibited the GABA transaminase activity. In conclusion, Feretia apodanthera was revealed possessing anticonvulsant effects in mice, likely via the GABAergic neurotransmission.
Asunto(s)
Anticonvulsivantes/farmacología , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Rubiaceae , Convulsiones/tratamiento farmacológico , 4-Aminobutirato Transaminasa/metabolismo , Alcaloides/química , Animales , Anticonvulsivantes/química , Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Moduladores del GABA/farmacología , Masculino , Ratones , Corteza de la Planta/química , Extractos Vegetales/química , Receptores de GABA-A/química , Receptores de GABA-A/metabolismo , Agua/químicaRESUMEN
Feretia apodanthera Del. (Rubiaceae) is extensively used in ethnomedicine in Cameroon and Nigeria for epilepsy, febrile convulsions, and rheumatic pains and for enhancing cognitive performance. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a lyophilized aqueous extract of F. apodanthera on the course of kindling development, kindling-induced learning deficit, oxidative stress markers, and cholinesterase activity in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled mice. Pentylenetetrazole, 30mg/kg, induced kindling in mice after 30.00±1.67days. The aqueous extract of F. apodanthera showed dose-dependent antiseizure effects. Feretia apodanthera (150-200mg/kg) significantly increased the latency to myoclonic jerks, clonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The extract also improved the seizure score and decreased the number of myoclonic jerks. Pentylenetetrazole kindling induced significant oxidative stress and cognitive impairment which were reversed by pretreatment with F. apodanthera in a dose-dependent manner. The significant decrease in cholinesterase activity observed in the PTZ-kindled mice was reversed by pretreatment with the F. apodanthera extract. The results indicated that pretreatment with the aqueous extract of F. apodanthera antagonizes seizures, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment in PTZ-kindled mice. The aqueous extract of F. apodanthera also showed anxiolytic activities, but the inhibition of memory impairment was not attributed to the anxiolytic activities of the plant. These results thus suggest the potential of F. apodanthera as an adjuvant in epilepsy both to prevent seizures as well as to protect against seizure-induced oxidative stress and memory impairment.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos del Conocimiento/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastornos del Conocimiento/psicología , Cognición/efectos de los fármacos , Excitación Neurológica/efectos de los fármacos , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Rubiaceae/química , Acetilcolinesterasa/metabolismo , Animales , Ansiedad/psicología , Convulsivantes , Liofilización , Masculino , Ratones , Pentilenotetrazol , Corteza de la Planta/química , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Desempeño Psicomotor/efectos de los fármacos , Convulsiones/inducido químicamente , Convulsiones/prevención & control , Convulsiones/psicologíaRESUMEN
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine in Africa to treat epilepsy and many other diseases. Two in vivo mouse models (maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions) were used to evaluate the anticonvulsant activities of the plant extracts. Diazepam-induced sleep was used for the evaluation of the sedative properties. The macerated extract of G. dalenii protected 100 and 83.3% of mice against PTZ- and MES-induced seizures, respectively. The aqueous extract of G. dalenii protected 100 and 83.3% of mice against PTZ- and MES-induced seizures, respectively. The lyophilized extract of G. dalenii also protected 100 and 83.3% of mice against PTZ- and MES-induced seizures, respectively. The coadministration of G. dalenii with diazepam resulted in an additive effect, while the coadministration of G. dalenii with flumazenil or FG7142 resulted in antagonistic effects. The macerate of G. dalenii also exerted sedative activity by reducing the latency time to sleep and increasing the total duration of sleep induced by diazepam. The sleeping time increased from 16±3min in the control group to 118±11min at a dose of 150mg/kg of G. dalenii. The effects of G. dalenii suggested the presence of anticonvulsant and sedative activities that might show efficacy against secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures and primary generalized seizures and insomnia in humans.
Asunto(s)
Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapéutico , Fitoterapia/métodos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Convulsiones/tratamiento farmacológico , Sueño/efectos de los fármacos , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Encéfalo/patología , Diazepam/uso terapéutico , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Quimioterapia Combinada , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 3 Anillos , Hipnóticos y Sedantes , Masculino , Ratones , Pentilenotetrazol/toxicidad , Desempeño Psicomotor/efectos de los fármacos , Convulsiones/etiología , Convulsiones/patología , Ácido gamma-Aminobutírico/metabolismoRESUMEN
Bridelia micrantha and Croton macrostachyus are medicinal plants used empirically in traditional medicine to treat epilepsy. In vivo mice model (maximal electroshock, strychnine, pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, isonicotinic hydrazide acid)-induced convulsions were used to evaluate the anticonvulsant activities of those plants. Diazepam-induced sleep was used for the evaluation of the sedative properties. B. micrantha protected 100, 80, 80, and 80% of mice against PIC, STR, PTZ and MES-induced seizures, respectively. C. macrostachyus at the doses 34 and 67 mg/kg protected 80, 80, 80 and 60% of mice from PIC, STR, PTZ and MES-induced seizures, respectively. B. micrantha and C. macrostachyus also delayed the onset to seizures in INH test. B. micrantha was more potent than C. macrostachyus in protecting mice against convulsions. The co-administration of the sub effective dose of the decoction of B. micrantha or C. macrostachyus with the sub effective dose of diazepam or clonazepam resulted in a synergistic effect. The decoctions of B. micrantha and C. macrostachyus also exerted sedative activity by increasing the total duration of sleep induced by diazepam and by reducing the latency time to sleep. The effect of the decoctions of B. micrantha and C. macrostachyus suggests the presence of anticonvulsant activities that might show efficacy against secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures and primary generalized seizures in humans.
Asunto(s)
Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapéutico , Croton , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/uso terapéutico , Medicina Tradicional , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Convulsiones/tratamiento farmacológico , Animales , Anticonvulsivantes/farmacología , Convulsivantes , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Electrochoque , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/farmacología , Masculino , Ratones , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Convulsiones/inducido químicamenteRESUMEN
Afrormosia laxiflora (A. laxiflora), Chenopodium ambrosioides (C. ambrosioides), Microglossa pyrifolia (M. pyrifolia) and Mimosa pudica (M. pudica) are plants used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat insomnia, epilepsy, anxiety, and agitation. They were evaluated for their anxiolytic like activity in mice. Animal models (elevated plus maze and stress-induced hyperthermia tests) were used. The four plants showed anxiolytic activity. In stress-induced hyperthermia test, A. laxiflora, C. ambrosioides, M. pyrifolia and M. pudica significantly antagonised the increase of temperature. ΔT° decreased from 0.75°C in the control group to 0.36°C at the dose of 110 mg/kg for A. laxiflora; from 1°C in the control group to -1.1°C at the dose of 120 mg/kg for C. ambrosioides; from 1.7°C in the control group to 0.2°C at the dose of 128 mg/kg for M. pyrifolia and from 1.3°C in the control group to 0.5°C at the dose of 180 mg/kg for M. pudica. In the elevated plus maze test, the four plants increased the number of entries into, percentage of entries into, and percentage of time in open arms. A. laxiflora, C. ambrosioides and M. pudica also reduced the percentage of entries and time in closed arms. In addition, C. ambrosioides, M. pyrifolia and M. pudica showed antipyretic activity by reducing the body temperature. The results suggested that C. ambrosioides, M. pyrifolia and M. pudica posses anxiolytic-like and antipyretic activities while A. laxiflora possesses only anxiolytic-like properties. These plants could be helpful in the treatment of anxiety and fever in traditional medicine in Cameroon.
Asunto(s)
Ansiolíticos/farmacología , Ansiedad/tratamiento farmacológico , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Plantas Medicinales/química , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Ansiolíticos/aislamiento & purificación , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Temperatura Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Camerún , Chenopodium ambrosioides/química , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Fiebre/tratamiento farmacológico , Masculino , Aprendizaje por Laberinto/efectos de los fármacos , Medicina Tradicional , Ratones , Mimosa/química , Actividad Motora/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Pruebas Psicológicas , Estrés FisiológicoRESUMEN
Root bark of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) was evaluated for its anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative activity in mice. Animal models (maximal electroshock-, pentylenetetrazol-, and strychnine-induced convulsions; N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced turning behavior; elevated plus maze; stress-induced hyperthermia; open field; and diazepam-induced sleep) were used. The decoction from the bark of the roots of N. latifolia strongly increased the total sleep time induced by diazepam. It also protected mice against maximal electroshock-, pentylenetetrazol-, and strychnine-induced seizures. In addition, turning behavior induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate was inhibited. N. latifolia antagonized, in a dose-dependent manner, stress-induced hyperthermia and reduced body temperature. In the elevated plus maze, N. latifolia increased the number of entries into, percentage of entries into, and percentage of time in open arms, and reduced rearing, head dipping, and percentage of time in closed arms. In the open field test, N. latifolia increased crossing and reduced rearing and defecation. It could be concluded that the decoction of N. latifolia, used in traditional medicine in Cameroon in the treatment of fever, malaria, insomnia, anxiety and epilepsy seemed to possess, sedative, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and antipyretic properties in mice.
Asunto(s)
Ansiolíticos/farmacología , Anticonvulsivantes/farmacología , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/farmacología , Rubiaceae/química , Animales , Ansiedad/psicología , Camerún , Convulsivantes , Diazepam/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Electrochoque , Agonistas de Aminoácidos Excitadores/farmacología , Fiebre/tratamiento farmacológico , Fiebre/etiología , Masculino , Ratones , Actividad Motora/efectos de los fármacos , N-Metilaspartato/farmacología , Pentilenotetrazol , Raíces de Plantas/química , Convulsiones/prevención & control , Sueño/efectos de los fármacos , Estrés Psicológico/complicaciones , Estrés Psicológico/fisiopatología , EstricninaRESUMEN
Acanthus montanus, Alchornea laxiflora, Hyptis spicigera, Microglossa pyrifolia, Piliostigma reticulatum, and Voacanga africana were evaluated with respect to anticonvulsant and sedative activity in mice using animal models (maximal electroshock (MES), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), isonicotinic hydrazide acid (INH), picrotoxin (PIC), and strychnine (STR)-induced convulsions or turning behavior and diazepam-induced sleep). Acanthus montanus protected 66.6% of mice against MES-, PIC-, and STR-induced convulsions and 83.3% of mice from PTZ-induced convulsions. Alchornea laxiflora protected 75% and 87.5% of mice in the STR and NMDA tests, respectively, at a dose of 120 mg/kg. Hyptis spicigera protected 100 and 87.5% of mice against STR- and PTZ-induced convulsions, respectively, at a dose of 160 mg/kg. Microglossa pyrifolia protected 50% to 100% of mice against convulsions. Piliostigma reticulatum protected 62.5% to 100% of mice against convulsions and turning behavior. Voacanga africana protected 62.5% to 87.5% of mice against convulsions and turning behavior. All of the plants except A. laxiflora also exerted sedative activity by strongly increasing the total duration of sleep induced by diazepam.
Asunto(s)
Anticonvulsivantes/farmacología , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/farmacología , Plantas Medicinales/química , Animales , Convulsivantes , Diazepam/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Electrochoque , Epilepsia/tratamiento farmacológico , Epilepsia/psicología , Agonistas de Aminoácidos Excitadores , Isoniazida , Masculino , Medicinas Tradicionales Africanas , Ratones , N-Metilaspartato , Pentilenotetrazol , Picrotoxina , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño/psicología , Conducta Estereotipada/efectos de los fármacos , EstricninaRESUMEN
Cissus quadrangularis Linn grows in Savannah areas in Africa (Cameroon; Mali; Mauritania; Senegal; etc). In traditional medicine; the plant is used to treat anorexia; asthma; sickle cells; colds; pains; malaria; asthma and as an analgesic. In vivo animal models of epilepsy (maximal electroshock; n-methyl -d-aspartate; pentylenetetrazol; isonicotinic hydrazid acid and strychnine -induced convulsions or turning behavior) and insomnia (diazepam -induced sleep) were used. The aqueous extract of the stems of C. quadrangularis strongly increased the total sleep time induced by diazepam (50 mg/kg i.p.). It also protected mice against maximal electroshock; pentylenetetrazol; strychnine and n-methyl-d-aspartate-induced seizures or turning behavior and delayed the onset time of seizures induced by isonicotinic hydrazid acid. The results lead to the conclusion that the extract of C. quadrangularis possesses anticonvulsant and sedative properties in mice and could explain its use in traditional medicine in Africa; in the treatment of insomnia and epilepsy