Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Iniage, L.O., Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Okpo, S.O., Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Olung, J.E., Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Purpose: To evaluate some central nervous system activity of methanolic leaf extract of Alstonia boonei used traditionally to manage psychosis. Methods: The plant extract was administered to 5 groups of mice. Using the rotarod performance evaluation test, motor in-coordination (a test for grip strength) as well as potentiation of phenobarbitone induced sleeping time were determined in the animals. Results: Oral administration of the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in length of time spent on the horizontal arm of the rotarod from 111.50 ± 7.22 sec to 139.68 ± 12.51 sec and 128.09 ± 9.14 sec in a non-dose dependent manner when 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract were administered to the animals, respectively (value for control was 48.55 ± 5.03 sec) but did not prolong phenobarbitone induced sleeping time of 94.8 ± 4.1 min in the control mice when compared with 59.8 ± 3.9 min, 77.8 ± 8.9 min, and 66.0 ± 3.3 min for 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Conclusion: Methanolic leaf extract of A. boonei may not increase phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time or produce motor in-coordination in mice.
