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Phytochemical screening, proximate analysis and anticonvulsant effect of the methanol extract of <i>Spigelia anthelmia</i> (Loganiaceae)


PO Igbinaduwa
CO Usifoh

Abstract

Spigelia anthelmia is used traditionally in Southern Nigeria for the treatment of infant convulsion and epilepsy. This study investigated the phytochemical constituents, proximate analysis and anticonvulsant effect of the methanolic extract of Spigelia anthelmia. Phytochemical evaluation and proximate analysis was carried out using standard procedure and the anticonvulsant screening was carried out using the maximum electroshock-induced seizure model on albino rat. Results show that the plant contains carbohydrates, reducing sugars, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, fats, proteins and fibre. Also, the plant exhibited a dose-dependent anti-seizure activity on the MESinduced seizure. At a dose of 150mg/kg, it exhibited 73.3% protection against electrically induced seizure in rat; suggesting that anti-seizure effect of S. anthelmia may be associated with the secretion and released of GABA since electroshock causes the inhibition of GABA release. This work will help in understanding and possibly  explaining the ethnomedicinal use of the plant in the treatment of convulsion and epilepsy.

Keywords: Convulsion; Proximate analysis; Spigelia anthelmia; Anticonvulsant


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eISSN: 0189-8442