Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: January-March | Volume: 5 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 28-37
Anticonvulsant and Sedative Effects of Cassia Alata (Fabaceae) in Mice
Nkundineza J.C.2, Nsonde Ntandou G.F.1,2, Bassoueka D’A.J1, Boumba L.S2,3., Makambila M. C3., Abena A. A1
1Laboratoire de biochimie et pharmacologie, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université Marien Ngouabi, BP 69, Brazzaville, Congo
2Laboratoire de Physiologie et Physiopathologie Animales, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien NGOUABI, Brazzaville, BP 69, Congo.
3Institut national de recherche en sciences de la santé, cité scientifique ( ex-Orstom), route de l’Auberge-de-Gascogne, Makélékélé, Brazzaville, Congo.
4Unité de Chimie du végétal et de la vie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien Ngouabi, BP 69, Brazzaville, Congo.
Corresponding Author: Nsonde Ntandou G.F
ABSTRACT
From bibliographic research, we have listed Cassia alata as a plant supposed to be anticonvulsant and sedative, which is used in traditional medicine in Congo. Our work allowed us to assess the sedative and anticonvulsant effects of Cassia alata leaves aqueous extract.
The acute toxicity study showed that the aqueous extract of this plant does not present any toxicity by the oral route up to the dose 3200 mg / kg. Cassia alata (up to 800 mg / kg) promote increased body weight. This toxicity study allowed us to select two doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) for pharmacological studies.
The sedative effect was assessed with two tests: motor activity and potentiation of barbiturate sleep in mice. The experimental animal model of generalized convulsions induced by strychnine made it possible to demonstrate the anticonvulsant activity.
It follows that at doses of 200 and 400 mg, the extract of Cassia alata significantly increases and reduces, respectively the time to onset and the duration of convulsions. At the same therapeutic doses, this extract significantly increases and reduces, respectively, the time to onset and barbiturate sleep. Motor activity is significantly reduced by the extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg / kg.
The chemical screening made it possible to highlight the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponosides, flavonoids and free anthraquinones in this extract.
Keywords: anticonvulsant, sedative, phytochemistry, Cassia alata, mice.