Anti-stress potential of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta

Abstract

This study presents the results of the phytochemical screening and anti-stress potential of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (MS) in mice. The forced swimming endurance test was utilized as a model for the evaluation of the anti-stress property of MS. The phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, flavoniods, phenols and glycosides in the extract of A.melegueta. In the forced swimming test, MS (50-200 mg/kg, i.p) significantly prolonged the duration of immobility in a dose-related manner. The duration of immobility (s) was increased from 236.67±18.2 in the control group to 410 ±11.57 and 579 ±28.71 in groups pretreated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of MS respectively. The inability of the extract of this plant to reduce the duration of immobility, therefore suggests a lack of anti-stress property.

African Journal of Biomedical Research Vol. 8(2) 2005: 119-121