Abigail Mebu Akhigbemen
University of Benin, Nigeria
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Neurol Neurophysiol
Caladium bicolor Aiton (Araceae) is used traditionally in treatment of boils, wound ulcers and convulsion. C. bicolor leaves were collected, dried and powdered. Extraction was done by maceration in methanol to yield the Whole Extract (WE). Successive extraction was done using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus at temperatures of 69.0, 76.5 and 64.7ยบ C to obtain Helium, Methyl extracts, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening was done using the whole extract. Neuropharmacological studies were carried out using standard methods at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins alkaloids and flavonoids. WE showed varying protection against strychnine-induced convulsion. Helium, Methyl increased latency (P<0.01) to PTZ induced convulsion as well as offered varying protection against hind limb extension seizures. Extracts had no significant effect on motor coordination. Helium shortened onset of phenobarbitone induced sleep time (P<0.001).WE increased the duration of sleep (P<0.05). Helium reduced the number of head dips (P<0.01) at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. WE, Helium and Methyl significantly increased the duration of stay on the open arm of the elevated plus maze. Methyl at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, and HE at a dose of 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the duration of immobility (P<0.05) in the forced swim test. The extract may possess anticonvulsant, CNS depressant, anxiolytic and antidepressant properties.
Abigail Mebu Akhigbemen has completed her Master’s from the University of Benin. She is currently working as a Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Facutly of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Nigeria.
E-mail: abigail.omo-isibor@uniben.edu
