Evaluation of the Anticonvulsant Potential of Aqueous Fraction of Synsepalum dulcificum Seed Extract in Mice

Aim: This study evaluated the anticonvulsant potential of the aqueous fraction of Synsepalum ducificum seed extract in mice. This was with a view to providing information on the possible link between the antioxidant principles earlier reported for the seed and anticonvulsant effect.

Study Design: One-factor, two controls-three test groups experimental design.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, between September and December, 2014.

Methodology: The investigation of the anticonvulsant potential of the aqueous fraction of S. dulcificum seed extract (AF) was carried out using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-, strychnine- and Maximal Electroshock (MES)-induced seizure tests. For each of the test models, randomly selected albino mice were divided into five groups (n = 5). Group 1 was the control (Normal saline, 10 ml/kg, i.p.), Group 2 was the positive control [Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p. against PTZ and 5 mg/kg, i.p. against strychnine); Phenytoin, 25 mg/kg, i.p. against MES] while group 3, 4 and 5 were the test groups which received 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg, i.p. of AF respectively. Administration of PTZ (85 mg/kg, i.p.), strychnine (4 mg/kg, i.p.) and MES delivery were done 30 min after the 5 groups of animals were pretreated. The onset of convulsion and the degree of protection against mortality were recorded for the animals in each group. The results were analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test.

Results: The AF gave 33.33% protection against mortality in PTZ- and strychnine-induced convulsion tests and caused a dose dependent reduction in the time of recovery of the animals from MES-induced seizure.

Conclusion: The aqueous fraction of the seed extract of S. dulcificum possesses some level of anticonvulsant activity which may be further explored for maximum effect.