Neuropharmacological effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum in mice

Abstract

Effects of aqueous leaf extracts of bryophyllum pinnatum (AEBP) on some
neuropharmacological activities were studied in mice. The extract in
dosages (50,100 and 200 mg/kg) was found to produce a profound
decrease in exploratory activity in a dose-dependent manner. It also
showed a marked sedative effect as evidenced by a significant reduction in
gross behaviour and potentiation of pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time.
It delayed onset in strychnine-and picrotoxin-induced convulsion (seizures)
respectively with the protective effect being significantly higher in
picrotoxin- than strychnine-induced convulsion. It also decreases the rate
of picrotoxin-induced mortality in mice with LD50 of 641mg/kg. The
totality of these effects showed that the extract possesses depressant
action on the central nervous system

Keywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum, Neuropharmacology, exploration, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant.