Sedative effect of hydroalcholic leaf extracts of Cnidoscolous acontifolius.

Summary: The Cnidoscolous acontifolius hydroalcholic leaf extract (CAHLE) has been reported to possess potent biological effects on the central nervous system. The objectives of this study were to investigate the safety, sedative and hypnotic effects of CAHLE in mice. Swiss albino mice (18-22g) were randomly allotted to three groups (n=5 each) and treated with CAHLE (3.0 g/kg, 6.0 g/kg and 9.0 g/kg) intraperitoneally. They were observed for signs of toxicity and mortality over a 72 hour period and subsequently for 14 days. Normal saline (10 mL/kg), diazepam (1 mg/kg) and CAHLE at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg were administered to a fresh batch of randomly allotted (7) groups of mice (n=5 per group) respectively. For the pentobarbitone sleeping time test, sodium pentobarbitone (40 mg/kg) was administered five minutes after the administration of CAHLE. Data analysis was by one factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc analysis using Student Newman Kuels multiple comparison tests. CAHLE showed signs of toxicity and lethality at 9.0g/kg. Furthermore, CAHLE produced statistically significant inhibition (p<0.05) of spontaneous motor activity and increased the onset and the duration of sleep at all dose levels compared to normal saline and diazepam treated groups. The study concluded CAHLE has sedative action, prolongs sleep and is safe in mice. Industrial Relevance: This study provides data on the safety as well as the efficacy of Cnidoscolous acontifolius in producing sedation and prolongation of sleep in animals. These data will be essential in the quest to isolate and develop potent therapeutic agents for the management of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The potency of CAHLE makes it an important candidate for further evaluation to isolate or identify important bioactive constituents that may serve as template for the development of new generation drugs for the management of insomnia that afflict a significant percentage of the human population among whom it is a cause of significant morbidity and loss of work hours . Keywords: sedative; hypnotics; central nervous system; Cnidoscolous acontifolius