title: Phytochemical screening and anticonvulsant studies of ethyl acetate fraction of Globimetula braunii on laboratory animals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the phytochemical properties and the anticonvulsant potential of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of ethanol leaf extract of Globimetula braunii, a plant used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard protocol while the anticonvulsant activity was studied using maximal electroshock test in chicks, pentylenetetrazole and 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures in mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The preliminary phytochemical screening carried out on the crude ethanol extract revealed the presence of saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones and steroids. Similarly, tannins, flavonoids and steroids/terpenes were found to be present in the ethyl acetate fraction. In the pharmacological screening, 150 mg/kg of the fraction protected 83.33% of animals against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in mice whereas sodium valproate a standard anti-epileptic drug offered 100% protection. In the 4-aminopyridine-induced seizure model, the fraction produced a significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean onset of seizure in unprotected animals. The fraction did not exhibit a significant activity against maximal electroshock convulsion. The median lethal dose of the fraction was found to be 1 261.91 mg/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of Globimetula braunii leaves extract possesses psychoactive compound that may be useful in the management of petit mal epilepsy and lend credence to the ethnomedical use of the plant in the management of epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria.
authors.forename: Musa Mumammad
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Aliyu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto-Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abdullahi Isma'il
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Advance Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Sheda- Abuja-Nigeria.
authors.forename: Muhammad Ja'afar
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria.
authors.forename: Magaji Garba
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mohammed
keywords: Epilepsy; Globimetula braunii; Medicinal; Pentylenetetrazole; Seizure