Antidepressant and anticonvulsant effects of the methanol leaf extract of Stachytarpheta Augostifolia (Verbenaceae) in mice

Abstract

Most people in developing and developed countries still use medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases such as epilepsy and depression. With the burden of epilepsy -induced depression on the rise; there exists a need to find newer and safer alternatives. S. augostifolia leaves are used in ethnomedicine; however there are no reports on the neuropharmacological effect of this plant. This study investigates the antidepressant, motor coordination and anticonvulsant profile of the leaves of the plant. The leaves were collected, dried, powdered and then extracted with methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. Preliminary phytochemical screening and some neuropharmacological evaluations were done using standard techniques. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, carbohydrates, saponin, flavonoids, phenolics, eugenols, terpenes, reducing sugars and alkaloids. The extract at doses of 100 mg/kg (p<0.001), 200 and 400 mg/kg (p<0.0001), significantly reduced the duration of immobility in the forced swim test and tail suspension test. There was no significant increase or decrease in the number of head dips and time spent on the rota rod at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract. The extract protected mice against maximal electroshock seizures in mice. It is concluded that the leaf extracts may possess antidepressant and anticonvulsant properties.