Pharmacological Evaluation of the Central Nervous System Activity of Aframomum melegueta Seed Extract in Mice

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Authors

  • ,NG
  • ,NG

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jnr/2005/400

Keywords:

Aframomum melegueta, Sedative, Anti-Stereotypic, Anticonvulsant, Pentobarbital, Methamphetamine, Isoniazid.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of intraperitoneal injection of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) on the central nervous system (CNS) in mice. Materials and methods: The study sought to evaluate the effects of the extract on the general behaviour of the animals (Irwin test), on pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time, on methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour, on motor coordination, and on convulsive seizures induced by isoniazid and picrotoxin. AM was tested at a dose range of 5-400 mg/kg. Results: AM (50-200 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease in spontaneous motor activity and also caused a dose-related prolongation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. At a dose range of 100-400 mg/kg, a significant inhibition of methamphetamine (35 mg/kg, i. p) induced stereotyped behaviour was observed. Furthermore, it offered a significant protection against convulsions induced by isoniazid (200 mg/kg, i.p). However, it failed to modify the convulsive action of picrotoxin (10 mg/kg, i.p) and did not cause any significant effect in the motor coordination of animals on the rota-rod machine. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that A. melegueta seed extract possesses central nervous system depressant activity.

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Published

2005-06-01

How to Cite

Umukoro, S., & Ashorobi, R. B. (2005). Pharmacological Evaluation of the Central Nervous System Activity of <I>Aframomum melegueta</I> Seed Extract in Mice. Journal of Natural Remedies, 5(2), 141–146. https://doi.org/10.18311/jnr/2005/400

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