ISSN 2326-7267
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2011. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The anticonvulsant and sedative properties of stems of Cissus quadrangularis in mice
1E. Ngo Bum1, GT Ngoupaye2, E. Talla3, T Dimo2, G. C. N Nkantchoua2, M. M Pelanken2 and G. S. Taiwe2
1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454 Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
2Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454 Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
Accepted 10 November, 2010
Abstract
Cissus quadrangularis Linn grows in Savannah areas in Africa (Cameroon, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, etc). In traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat anorexia, asthma, sickle cells, colds, pains, malaria, asthma and as an analgesic. In vivo animal models of epilepsy (maximal electroshock, n-methyl -d-aspartate, pentylenetetrazol, isonicotinic hydrazid acid and strychnine -induced convulsions or turning behavior) and insomnia (diazepam -induced sleep) were used. The aqueous extract of the stems of C. quadrangularis strongly increased the total sleep time induced by diazepam (50 mg/kg i.p.). It also protected mice against maximal electroshock, pentylenetetrazol, strychnine and n-methyl-d-aspartate-induced seizures or turning behavior and delayed the onset time of seizures induced by isonicotinic hydrazid acid. The results lead to the conclusion that the extract of C. quadrangularis possesses anticonvulsant and sedative properties in mice and could explain its use in traditional medicine in Africa, in the treatment of insomnia and epilepsy.
Key words: Traditional medicine, plant, extract, seizures, Cissus quadrangularis.