ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF DIOSPYROS FISCHERI ROOT EXTRACTS

Authors

  • Mainen Julius Moshi Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences
  • Zakaria H. Mbwambo
  • Ramadhani S. O. Nondo
  • Pax J. Masimba
  • Modest C. Kapingu
  • Edward S. Magelewanya

Keywords:

Diospyros fischeri, Pentylenetetrazole, Anticonvulsant activity, Brine shrimp toxicity

Abstract

Diospyros fischeri Gurke (Ebenaceae) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of epilepsy. Dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and ethanol extracts of the roots, at doses between 100 and 1600 mg/kg BW, inhibited convulsions induced by the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor antagonist, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), in a dose dependent manner. The extracts also exhibited low toxicity against brine shrimps giving LC50 values between 45 .4 and 95.4 µg/ml. These results provide evidence for the potential of D. fischeri extracts to treat absence seizures, especially given their seemingly innocuous nature.

Author Biography

Mainen Julius Moshi, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences

Department bof Pharmacology and Toxicology, Senior Research Fellow

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Published

2006-11-13

How to Cite

Moshi, M. J., Mbwambo, Z. H., Nondo, R. S. O., Masimba, P. J., Kapingu, M. C., & Magelewanya, E. S. (2006). ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF DIOSPYROS FISCHERI ROOT EXTRACTS. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 4(2), 226–230. Retrieved from https://athmsi.org/journals/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/151

Issue

Section

Research Papers

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