Effects of hyrdroethanolic leaf extract of Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) on the central nervous system in mice

Abstract

Pseudospondias microcarpa (Anacardiaceae), the African grape tree, is used for various CNS disorders. The neuropharmacological activities of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Pseudospondias microcarpa (PME) were screened in mice. In this study, the central nervous system (CNS) activity was tested in various animal models including Irwin test, pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time, spontaneous motor activity, rotarod test, pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions and tail immersion test. The extract produced sedation and analgesia in the Irwin test with an LD50 above 3000 mg kg-1. PME potentiated pentobarbitone sleeping time and induced hepatic enzymes. It however, showed no effect on locomotor activity or motor coordination. Furthermore, the extract blocked convulsions induced by PTZ and showed analgesic activity in the tail withdrawal test. The present investigation suggests that PME may act as a sedative with analgesic and anticonvulsant activity, and thus supporting its use as a sedative and for the relief of various nervous system disorders.