Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Neuropharmacological Screening of Diospyros mespiliformis in Mice

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2002

Journal Title

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

ISSN

0378-8741

Volume

83

Issue

1-2

First Page

139

Last Page

143

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00249-0

PubMed ID

12413720

Abstract

The neuropharmacological activities of the aqueous extract of Diospyros mespiliformisstem bark were screened in mice. The extracts effect on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, pentylenetetrazole induced seizure, spontaneous motor activity (SMA), exploratory behaviour, and rota-rod performance (motor coordination) were evaluated. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) produced a significant (P<0.05) prolongation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, and reduced the SMA and exploratory behaviour. The extract prolonged onset of the phases of seizure activity but did not protect mice against lethality induced by pentylenetetrazole. It also failed to affect the motor coordination test. These results suggest that the extract contained an agent with neuropharmacological activity that may be sedative in nature.

Keywords

Diospyros mespiliformis, neuropharmacology, mice, anticonvulsants, hypnotics and sedatives

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