THE EFFECT OF HYDRO-METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF Icacina trichantha Oliv.

ABSTRACT

The frequency of CNS illnesses has fueled studies and development in neuroscience. As a result, various treatments, therapies, and drugs aimed at improving the lives of those affected have been developed with focus on herbal medicine. Icacina trichantha has been used traditionally to treat toothache, fever, arthritis, chest problems and neurological diseases. Pharmacological research has been done on major parts of the plant such as the tuber, leaf and stem on its therapeutic benefits but there is limited research on the Central Nervous System (CNS) activity of the leaf. The research explores the hydro-methanolic effect of Icacina trichantha leaf. Fresh leaves of the plant were collected dried and extracted by cold maceration with 1:1 distilled water and methanol for 72hours. Acute oral toxicity test in mice was determined using Lorke’s method. Neuropharmacological evaluations on amphetamine induced psychosis, ketamine induced hyperactivity and phenobarbitone induced sleep was carried out in mice using doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally of the plant extract. Safety profile of the plant revealed to be greater than 5000 mg/kg since no obvious toxicity or mortality was recorded. Statistical analysis showed that I. trichantha reduced stereotyped behaviour in amphetamine induced psychosis in mice at 400 mg/kg, reduced number of lines crossed at 200 and 400 mg/kg but did not reduce duration of immobility in ketamine induced hyperactivity and had no effect on phenobarbitone induced sleep in mice as compared to the control which indicates that the leaves of the plant possess some neuroprotective properties.