Analgesic and anticonvulsant properties ofTetrapleura tetraptera (Taub) (Fabaceae) fruit aqueous extract in mice

Abstract

Previous studies in our laboratories and elsewhere have shown that the fruit of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub) (family: Fabaceae) is widely used in African traditional medicine for the management and/or control of an array of human ailments, including schistosomiasis, asthma, epilepsy, hypertension and so on. The present study was designed to investigate the analgesic and anticonvulsant effects of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub) fruit aqueous extract (TTE) in mice. Morphine (MPN, 10 mg/kg i.p.), diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg i.p.), phenobarbitone (20 mg/kg i.p.) and diazepam (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) were used, respectively, as reference analgesic and anticonvulsant agents for comparison. T. tetraptera fruit aqueous extract (TTE, 50-800 mg/kg i.p.) produced dose-dependent, significant (p < 0.05-0.001) analgesic effects against thermally and chemically induced pain in mice. Like the standard anticonvulsant agents (phenobarbitone and diazepam) used, T. tetraptera fruit aqueous extract (TTE, 50-800 mg/kg i.p.) significantly (p < 0.05-0.001) delayed the onset of, and antagonized, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures. Aqueous extract of the fruit (TTE, 50-800 mg/kg i.p.) also profoundly antagonized picrotoxin (PCT)-induced seizures, but only partially and weakly antagonized bicuculline (BCL)-induced seizures. However, the results of this experimental animal study indicate that Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub) fruit aqueous extract (TTE) possesses analgesic and anticonvulsant properties. These findings lend pharmacological support to the suggested folkloric uses of the plant's fruit in the management and/or control of painful, arthritic inflammatory conditions, as well as for the management and/or control of epilepsy and childhood convulsions in some tropical African countries.

In vitro inhibitory effects of the ethanol extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and thonn.) taub. against multidrug resistant staphylococcus aureus

“…Ethnomedically, the leaves, fruit, bark and pod are used for medicinal purposes (STEENTOFT, 1988). The fruits are used in the management of jaundice, flatulence, fever (BOUQUET, 1971), convulsion, leprosy, inflammation and rheumatism (OJEWOLE and ADESINA, 1983) as well acting as antiparasitic, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory agents (OJEWOLE and ADEWUNMI, 2004;OJEWOLE, 2005) . …”

Antiepileptic Medicinal Plants used in Traditional Medicine to Treat Epilepsy

“…Diazepam (benzodiazepine) and sodium thiopental (barbiturate) all bind to the GABA A receptor complex. Diazepam potentiates GABA-mediated inhibition via the increase in the affinity of this inhibitory neurotransmitter to its recognition sites within the GABA A receptor complex, by increasing the opening frequency of the chloride ion channel which leads to the enhancement of influx of chloride anions into the neuron and subsequent hyperpolarisation (Czapinsky et al, 2005 (Nwaiwu, 1986;Ojewole, 2005). The antagonism of INH, PTZ-and PIC-induced seizures suggests the interaction of these plants with the GABA-ergic neurotransmission (De Deyn et al, 1992;Doctor et al, 1982;Löscher & Schmidt, 1988;Salih & Mustafa, 2008;Perez-Saad & Buznego, 2008).…”

“…Parts of the plant, form of the medicine and diseases treated in traditional medicine. Adeyemi et al, 2010;Adjanohoum et al, 1984;Adjanouhoun et al, 1996;Adzu et al, 2003;Agassounon et al 2008;Anete et al, 1998 ;Anuradha et al, 2008;Arbonnier, 2000;Berhaut, 1975;Brenan, 1959 ;Dimo et al, 2002;El-Mahmood et al, 2008;Ezugwu & Odoh, 2003;Gusman-Gutierez & Navarrete, 2009;Iwu, 1993;Joyner, 2004;Lompo et al, 1998;Malgras, 1992;Mutasa et al, 1990;Nazneen et al, 2009;Ogundiya, 2009;Ojewole, 2005;Palgrave, 2003;Pathak et al, 2010;Pousset, 1989;Satyarayana et al, 1996;Sunday et al, 2009;Saulnier, 1998;Seema Zareen, 2006;Worapan et al, 2009. with these plants, very few were done to study their sedative and anticonvulsant properties. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant and sedative properties of these plants used in the treatment of insomnia and epilepsy in traditional medicine in Africa, particularly in Cameroon.…”

Neuropharmacological properties of Launaea resedifolia

“…The latency (onset of seizure induction), number of convulsions within a period of 30 min, and death rate were recorded as a biological indicator (Floyd, 1971). Similar procedure was carried out using LRE (400 mg/ kg) and picrotoxin (3.4 mg/kg body weight) (Klodzinska et al, 1999), and phenobarbitone sodium in a dose of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally (Ojewole, 2005) as a control. The above-mentioned parameters were recorded.…”