title: Psychopharmacological properties of saponins from Randia nilotica stem bark.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decoctions of Randia nilotica Stapf. (Rubiaceae) have been used in the Nigerian traditional medicine for the management of epilepsy, anxiety, depression and psychosis for many years and their efficacies are widely acclaimed among the rural communities of Northern Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to establish whether the saponins present in R. nilotica are responsible for its acclaimed beneficial effects in Nigerian traditional medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The behavioural properties of the saponin-rich fraction (SFRN) of R. nilotica stem bark were studied on hole-board, diazepam-induced sleep, rota-rod and beam-walking in mice. The anticonvulsant properties of SFRN were also examined on maximal electroshock, pentylenetetrazole- and strychnine-induced seizures in mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intraperitoneal LD₅₀ of SFRN in mice and rats were estimated to be 11.1 and 70.7 mg/kg, respectively. SFRN significantly prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep; diminished head dip counts in the hole-board test and protected mice against maximal electroshock seizures. SFRN failed to protect mice against pentylenetetrazole- and strychnine-induced seizures; and had no effect on motor coordination on the rota-rod treadmill at the doses tested. SFRN significantly decreased the number of foot slips in the beam-walking assay in mice with no effect on time to reach the goal box.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence of the psychopharmacological effects of SFRN, thus supporting further development of the psychoactive components as remedies for epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ahmadu Bello University , Zaria , Nigeria .
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Danjuma
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Chindo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abdu-Aguye
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Anuka
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Hussaini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D051379:Mice; D009549:Nigeria; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018547:Plant Stems; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019666:Rubiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012503:Saponins