J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Jul; 76(2): 145-50.

Anticonvulsant properties of the methanolic extract of Cyperus articulatus (Cyperaceae).

Bum EN, Schmutz M, Meyer C, Rakotonirina A, Bopelet M, Portet C, Jeker A, Rakotonirina SV, Olpe HR, Herrling P.

DÃ©partement des Sciences Biologiques, FacultÃ© des Sciences, UniversitÃ© de NgaoundÃ©rÃ©, B.P. 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon. boum@cna-assur.com

The methanolic extract of rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus, a plant used in traditional medicine in Africa and Latin America for many diseases, possesses anticonvulsant activity in mice. This extract protected mice against maximal electroshock (MES)- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures. It also delayed the onset of seizures induced by isonicotinic acid hydrazide and strongly antagonized N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced turning behavior. The ED(50) for protection against seizures was 306 (154-541) mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) for the PTZ test and 1005 (797-1200) mg/kg i.p. for the MES test. The ED(50) of methanolic extract against N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced turning behavior was 875 (623-1123) mg/kg i.p. C. articulatus L. methanolic extract protected 54% of mice from seizures induced by strychnine at the dose of 1000 mg/kg i.p. but had no or a moderate effect only against picrotoxin- or bicuculline-induced seizures. With these effects, the rhizome of C. articulatus L. possesses anticonvulsant properties in animals that might explain its use as a traditional medicine for epilepsy in Africa.