Anticonvulsant activity of Lophira alata (Ochnaceae) stem bark extract in mice

Abstract

Lophira alata, a tree found in many countries in the tropics has diverse ethnobotanical uses including the management of pain, inflammation and convulsion. This study evaluated the anticonvulsant activity of ethanol extract of L. alata stem bark. Phytochemical screening and the mean lethal dose (LD₅₀) of the extract were determined. Anticonvulsant activity was evaluated in murine models of convulsion using the pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock induced tests at dose levels of 100 to 800 mg/kg. The results of phytochemical screening indicated the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, carbohydrates alkaloids and flavonoids, and the LD₅₀ of L. alata was determined to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. L. alata afforded significant protection in both models at the higher doses used in this study. L. alata possesses anticonvulsant activity at high doses and this may account for its use in ethnomedicine