title: Central nervous system depressant activity of Russelia equisetiformis.
abstract: The central nervous system depressant activity of the crude methanol extract (REC) and fractions (RE1, RE2, and RE3) of Russelia equisetiformis were evaluated in mice using the following models: amphetamine-induced stereotypy, picrotoxin-induced convulsion and phenobarbitone sleeping time. At 200-400 mg/kg, REC significantly increased phenobarbitone-sleeping time [P < 0.05] in a dose- dependent manner and also reduced the sleep latency significantly [P < 0.05]. The fractions, at doses 1.5 mg/kg for RE1 and 20 mg/kg for RE2 and RE3 also significantly prolonged Phenobarbitone sleeping time and sleep latency [P < 0.05]. Picrotoxin-induced convulsion was not prevented by 100-400 mg/kg of REC but this dose range significantly prolonged seizure latency. A significant reduction [P < 0.05] in amphetamine-induced stereotype behavior was observed with 200 mg/kg REC, but there was no protection against amphetamine-induced mortality. The results of this study suggest that Russelia equisetiformis methanol extract possesses central nervous system depressant activities.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria. tymkol@yahoo.co.uk
authors: O T
authors: OT
authors: Kolawole
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Makinde
authors: O A
authors: OA
authors: Olajide
mesh_terms: D000661:Amphetamine / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000633:toxicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010852:Picrotoxin; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D028083:Scrophulariaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000661:Amphetamine; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010634:Phenobarbital; D010852:Picrotoxin; D010936:Plant Extracts