title: Extracts of Feretia apodanthera Del. demonstrated anticonvulsant activities against seizures induced by chemicals and maximal electroshock.
abstract: Extracts of Feretia apodanthera Del. (Rubiaceae) have been extensively used in traditional Cameroonian medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including some neurological disorders. The present study was aimed to tests the anticonvulsant properties of the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction of the stem barks of Feretia apodanthera. The anticonvulsant investigation was carried out against bicuculline-, picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol-, Methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate-, N-Methyl-D-aspartate-, 4-aminopyridine-, and maximal electroshock-induced seizures or turning behavior in mice. The aqueous extract protected mice against bicuculline-, picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol-, Methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate-, N-methyl-D-aspartate -, 4-aminopyridine- and maximal electroshock-induced seizures or turning behavior. Also, N-Methyl-D-aspartate-, 4-aminopyridine- and maximal electroshock- induced seizures or turning behavior, were significantly antagonized by the alkaloid fraction (80mg/kg) from Feretia apodanthera. The total protection of mice provided by the aqueous extract against convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol or picrotoxin was anagonized by flumazenil, a specific antagonist of the benzodiazepine site in the GABAAreceptor complex. The aqueous extract of Feretia apodanthera (but not the alkaloid fraction) increased the brain GABA content and inhibited the GABA transaminase activity. In conclusion, Feretia apodanthera was revealed possessing anticonvulsant effects in mice, likely via the GABAergic neurotransmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Taiwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Yaoundé 1, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: F C O
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Moto
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pale
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kandeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Maroua, P. O. Box 55, Maroua, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Amadou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawe
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kouemou
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Yaoundé 1, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: E R M
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Ayissi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Ngoupaye
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
authors.forename: J S K
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Njapdounke
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
authors.forename: G C N
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Nkantchoua
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Yaoundé 1, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: J P O
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Omam
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pahaye
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. Electronic address: eli_bum@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ngo Bum
mesh_terms: D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019666:Rubiaceae; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018757:GABA Modulators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D014867:Water; D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase
keywords: Alkaloid fraction; Anticonvulsant; Aqueous extract; Feretia apodanthera; Traditional medicine