J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Nov; 83(1-2): 139-43.

Neuropharmacological screening of Diospyros mespiliformis in mice.

Adzu B, Amos S, Muazzam I, Inyang US, Gamaniel KS.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), PMB 21, Abuja, Nigeria. bulusadzu@yahoo.com

The neuropharmacological activities of the aqueous extract of Diospyros mespiliformis stem bark were screened in mice. The extracts effect on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, pentylenetetrazole induced seizure, spontaneous motor activity (SMA), exploratory behaviour, and rota-rod performance (motor coordination) were evaluated. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) produced a significant (P<0.05) prolongation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, and reduced the SMA and exploratory behaviour. The extract prolonged onset of the phases of seizure activity but did not protect mice against lethality induced by pentylenetetrazole. It also failed to affect the motor coordination test. These results suggest that the extract contained an agent with neuropharmacological activity that may be sedative in nature.