Asparagus africanus Lam. (Asparagaceae) is a widely used plant in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, for the treatment of nervous disorders and epilepsy. The objective of this work was to study the anticonvulsant effects of A. africanus root decoction in white mice (Mus musculus Swiss) induced by pilocarpine. The experimental induction of "status epilepticus" and the evaluation of the anticonvulsant effects of A. africanus root decoction on pilocarpine-induced clonic and tonic convulsions were carried out. Seizure severity, latency, duration and number of clonics and tonics convulsions were evaluated. Concentrations of GABA, GABA-T, TNF-α and stress markers in the brains of mice were also estimated. A. africanus decreased the duration and number of clonic and tonic convulsions which increased the latency time of onset of clonic and tonic convulsions significantly and in a dose-dependent manner. GABA increased significantly in the brains of animals treated with A. africanus and a significant decrease of GABA-T and TNF-α. A. africanus also showed antioxidant effects. These results show that A. africanus has anticonvulsant effects. A. africanus would thus contain beneficial antiradical constituents in the treatment of epilepsy. These constituents would thus oppose free radicals. These results would justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine in the treatment of epilepsy.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic properties of the decoction of stem bark of Hallea ciliate in mice. The decoction of Hallea ciliata is used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat diseases like anxiety disorders, fever, infantile convulsions and malaria. Materials and Methods: Stress induced hyperthermia, elevated plus maze, open field and hole-board tests were used. Four different doses of the decoction were administered to mice and their effects were compared to the effects of diazepam and vehicle. Phytochemical characterization of the decoction revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Results: Administration of Hallea ciliata resulted in a significant decrease of stress induced hyperthermia in mice at the doses of 29.5, 59 and 118 mg/kg. In the elevated plus maze test, Hallea ciliata increased the number of entries and the percentages of entries and time into the open arms, and reduced the number of entries and the percentages of entries and time into the closed arms. In the hole-board test, Hallea ciliata increased the number of both head-dipping and crossing and decreased the latency to the first head-dips and rearing. The decoction of Hallea ciliata and diazepam increased locomotion in the open field test. Conclusion:The number of rearing and the mass of fecal boli produced were decreased in mice treated with decoction and diazepam. In conclusion, the results indicated that decoction of Hallea ciliata has anxiolytic-like properties in mice and could potentially be used for anxiety treatment.

Erythrina droogmansiana is used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat epilepsy, insomnia and headaches. From this plant, many secondary metabolites are extracted including alcaloids, tannins, flavonoids, etc. Amongst the flavonoid, abyssinone V-4' methyl ether is used in this manipulation. Animal models of epilepsy: pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), picrotoxine (PIC) and pilocarpine (PILO)-induced convulsions or turning behavior were used to evaluate anticonvulsant activity while diazepam-induced sleep test was used to evaluate sedative activity of the extract. Four doses of extracts were used for each group test (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Abyssinone V-4' methyl ether protected 100% of mice against the convulsions induced by the pentylenetetrazole at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Abyssinone V-4' methyl ether protected 100% of mice at the doses of 25 and 100 mg/kg and 80% at the doses of 12.5 and 50 mg/kg against generalized convulsions induced by picrotoxine. This flavonoid protected 100% of mice at the doses 25 and 50 mg/kg and 80% at the doses of 12.5 mg/kg against generalized convulsions induced by pilocarpine. Moreover, for the test of induction of convulsions by pilocarpine, Abyssinone V-4' methyl ether protected 100% of mice at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg and 71.43% at the doses of 12.5 and 100 mg/kg against death after 1h and 24h respectively. Abyssinone V-4' methyl ether has anticonvulsivant properties and not sedative properties. These results explain the use of Erythrina droogmansiana to treat epilepsy. Abbreviations: PTZ: Pentylenetetrazol, PIC: Picrotoxin, PILO: Pilocarpine, ED: Distilled water, Ip: Intraperitoneal.

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