Anticonvulsant Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Celtis Integrifolia Lam (Ulmaceae) in Chicks and Mice

Abstract

Background: Celtis integrifolia commonly known as (African Hackberry) and locally called Zuwo in Hausa, is a medicinal plant whose root, leaves and bark are used in northern Nigeria in the treatment epilepsy.

Objective: The study evaluated the anticonvulsant activity of the methanol leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia in chicks and mice.

Methodology: Preliminary phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies were carried out. The anticonvulsant activity of methanol leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was assessed using maximal electroshock seizure test in chicks, pentylenetetrazole, 4-aminopyridine and strychnine tests in mice.

Results: Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides were detected in Celtis integrifolia, while the interperitoneal median lethal dose was estimated to be 2,154 mg/kg in mice. The methanol leaf extract of Celtis integrifolia significantly (p < 0.01) delayed onset of seizure induced by MES and provided 20.0% protection to chicks at 200 mg/kg dose. The onset of seizure behavior and latency to death was significantly (p < 0.01) increased by the extract, while 16.7 and 33.3% protection (200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively) was conferred to mice against pentylenetetrazole induced seizure. The extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg protected 50.0% of mice against 4-Aminopyridine induced seizure and significantly (p < 0.01) delayed onset of seizure behavior. The extract did not show any activity in the strychnine induced seizure model.

Conclusion: The study shows that Celtis integrifolia methanol leaf extract possess anticonvulsant activity, thus lending credence to the ethnomedicinal claim for the use of the plant in the management of epilepsy.