Anticonvulsant effect of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Psydrax subcordata (DC.) Bridson in murine models

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Psydrax subcordata (DC.) Bridson is a tropical medicinal plant used traditionally for the management of epilepsy. However, there is little scientific evidence to support its use.

Aim of study: The current study investigated the anticonvulsant properties of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Psydrax subcordata (PSE) in animal models.

Materials and methods: The anticonvulsant effects were evaluated in mouse models of acute seizures (pentylenetetrazole-, picrotoxin-, 4-aminopyridine-, strychnine- and maximal electroshock-induced seizure tests) and status epilepticus (Lithium/pilocarpine-induced SE). The role of GABAergic mechanisms in the actions of the extract was also examined by pre-treatment of animals with flumazenil in the pentylenetetrazole test.

Results: The extract (30, 100 and 300mg/kg, p.o.) significantly delayed the onset and decreased the duration and frequency of pentylenetetrazole- and picrotoxin-convulsions. PSE also reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extensions in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test. Furthermore, PSE pre-treatment significantly delayed the onset of seizures and improved survival in the 4-aminopyridine-induced seizure test. In the strychnine-induced seizure test, PSE treatment did not significantly affect the latency to convulsions and time until death when compared to controls. PSE exhibited anticonvulsant effects in the lithium/pilocarpine test by delaying the onset of seizures and status epilepticus as well as reducing the severity of seizures and mortality of mice. Again, the anticonvulsant effect of PSE (100mg/kg, p.o.) was blocked by pre-treatment with flumazenil in the PTZ test.

Conclusion: PSE has anticonvulsant activity in animal models, and this effect may be mediated, at least partly, through GABAergic mechanisms.

Keywords: 4-aminopyridine (PubChem CID: 1727); Canthium subcordatum; Carbamazepine (PubChem CID: 2554); Diazepam (PubChem CID: 3016); Flumazenil (PubChem CID: 3373); GABAergic mechanisms; Lithium chloride (PubChem CID: 433294); Lithium/pilocarpine; Maximal electroshock; Pentobarbitone sodium (PubChem CID: 23676152); Pentylenetetrazole; Pentylenetetrazole (PubChem CID: 5917); Picrotoxin (PubChem CID: 57402144); Pilocarpine (PubChem CID: 5910); Scopolamine methyl bromide (PubChem CID: 5459110); Sodium valproate (PubChem CID: 16760703); Strychnine (PubChem CID: 441071).