Evaluation of Sedative Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Ceiba Pentandra Linn (Malvaceae) Using Mice

Abstract

Stella Makuo Ubah, Abdullahi Haruna Yaro, Suleiman Yunusa and Yahaya Mohammed Katagum

Background: Insomnia and other associated disorders have been traditionally managed using leaves of Ceiba pentandra (Malvaceae).

Methods: In this study, sedative and anxiolytic properties of methanol leaf extract of Ceiba pentandra using mice were evaluated. Acute toxicity study and phytochemical screening of the extract were also determined using standard protocols. The sedative effect of the extract was evaluated using Diazepam and ketamine- induced sleep, hole board test and mouse beam walk assay, whereas the anxiolytic activity was studied using open field, elevated plus maze and elevated stair case tests.

Results: The intraperitonial LD50 of the methanol leaf extract of Ceiba pentandra was estimated to be 2150 mg/kg body weight in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the positive reaction of saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins. The extract at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg shortened the onset of sleep and prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep. The extract at all doses tested (150,300 and 600 mg/kg) had no effect on mean onset of sleep but significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the duration of ketamine-induced sleep when compared with normal saline treated group. The extract at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of head dips when compared with the control group in the Hole-board test. The extract at all doses tested has no effect on the mean time spent on the beam. However, at the dose of 600 mg/kg, it significantly (p<0.05) increased the number of foot slips made by mice when compared with the control group. In the open field test, the extract at all doses tested (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of peripheral square crossing without any effect on the number of centre square crossing. The extract had no effect on the mean number of open arm and closed arm entries, time spent in open arm and time spent in the closed arm. In the elevated staircase test, the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the number of stairs climbed and the number of rearing.

Conclusion: The results of this work revealed that methanol leaf extract of Ceiba pentandra contains bioactive components that possess sedative properties and hence can be used to treat insomnia in the nearest future.

PDF