Central nervous system depressant activity of Russelia equisetiformis.
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.
Kolawole
O T
OT
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria. tymkol@yahoo.co.uk
Makinde
J M
JM
Olajide
O A
OA
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*
D000661:Amphetamine; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010634:Phenobarbital; D010852:Picrotoxin; D010936:Plant Extracts