Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius Tuber on Central Nervous System in Mice

Abstract

The central nervous system activity of the petroleum ether extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber was examined in mice, fed normal as well as healthy conditions. The petroleum ether extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber at the doses of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg showed significant central nervous system activity in mice.

Keywords: Amorphophallus paeoniifolius; central nervous system depressant activity; locomotor activity; muscle relaxant activity.

Fig. 1

Determination of LD50 value of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius. All the mice were divided into 5 groups, each group received petroleum ether extract (1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 mg/kg respectively), suspended in 5% v/v Tween 80 solution. Mortality was noticed for 24 h and LD50 value was determined by using probit scale. n=10 for each group. The LD50 value was found out to be 2500 mg/kg body weight.

Fig. 2

Time course curve of CNS depressant activity of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius. The mice were devided into 3 groups. Each group received petroleum ether extract suspended in 5% v/v Tween 80 solution at the dose of 100, 300, 1000 mg/kg through the intra-peritoneal route. Locomotor activity was measured by actophotometer at 10 min intervals for 100 min. The data is expressed as mean±SEM of n=6 observations.

Fig. 3

Dose dependent decrease of locomotor activity of mice. Tween 80 (10 mg/kg) as vehicle, petroleum ether extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.5, 1.5 mg/kg) as standard drug were administered intra-peritonially. After 60 min of drug treatment, decrease of locomotor activity was determined by actophotometer. The data is expressed as mean±SD of n=6 observations; *P<0.05 as compared to control; ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test. Control refers to 5% v/v Tween 80 solution.

Fig. 4

Dose response curve of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius. Tween 80 (10 mg/kg) as vehicle, petroleum ether extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.5, 1.5 mg/kg) as standard drug were administered intraperitonially. After 60 min of drug treatment, decrease of locomotor activity was determined by rota rod apparatus. The data is expressed as mean±SD of n=6 observations; *P< 0.05 as compared to control; ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test. Control refers to 5% v/v Tween 80 solution.