BEHAVIOURAL EFFECTS OF THE METHANOLIC ROOT BARK EXTRACT OF SECURINEGA VIROSA IN RODENTS

Authors

  • M. G. Magaji
  • J. A. Anuka
  • I Abdu-Aguye
  • A. H. Yaro
  • I. M. Hussaini

Keywords:

Behaviour, Securinega virosa, motor coordination, exploratory activity, stereotyped climbing.

Abstract

Securinega virosa is used traditionally as sedative in children and in mental illnesses. In this study, the behavioral effects of methanolic root bark extract of S. virosa were investigated in mice. The results revealed that the extract significantly (P<0.05) and dose-dependently reduced the onset and prolonged the duration of sleep. The extract significantly (P<0.05) decreased exploratory activity and reduced the rate of apomorphine-induced stereotyped climbing at the doses tested (6.25-25mg/kg). It also produced a significant and dose-dependent motor coordination deficit in mice at the doses tested (P<0.01). The intraperitoneal median lethal dose in mice was 774.6mg/kg while the preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. These results suggest that methanolic root bark extract of S. virosa contains biologically active principles that are sedative in nature and lend pharmacological credence to the ethnomedical use of the plant.

Author Biography

M. G. Magaji

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

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Published

2007-09-26

How to Cite

Magaji, M. G., Anuka, J. A., Abdu-Aguye, I., Yaro, A. H., & Hussaini, I. M. (2007). BEHAVIOURAL EFFECTS OF THE METHANOLIC ROOT BARK EXTRACT OF SECURINEGA VIROSA IN RODENTS. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 5(2), 147–153. Retrieved from https://journals.athmsi.org/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/344

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2008)

Section

Research Papers

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