Methanol leaf extract of Albizia chevalieri harms possesses anticonvulsant activity in acute and chronic models of epilepsy

Albizia chevalieri Harms (Mimosaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine to treat various kinds of diseases such as epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids, asthma, leprosy and gonorrhoea. The effectiveness of its leaf extract in the management of epilepsy is widely acclaimed among communities in northern Nigeria. This study aimed at evaluating the anticonvulsant effects of methanol leaf extract of A. chevalieri using acute and chronic models of epilepsy.

 Median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was determined in chicks, mice and rats via intraperitoneal route. Anticonvulsant screening of the extract was performed using maximal electroshock-induced seizure test in day-old chicks; Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-, picrotoxin- and 4-aminopyridine-induced seizure models in mice. Similarly, its effects on pentylenetetrazole-induce kindling in rats was evaluated.

 Intraperitoneal LD50 values of the extract were estimated to be 1200, 1130 and 2150 mg/kg in chicks, mice and rats, respectively. The extract provided a dose dependent protection and significantly (P<0.01) increased in the mean onset of seizures induced by PTZ. At 300 mg/kg, it also offered 66.67 and 50% protection against picrotoxin- and 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures, respectively. The extract reduced the severity of seizure episodes induced by sub-convulsive doses of PTZ. The reduction was significant (P<0.01) at 75 and 300 mg/kg on day 11 when seizure score 5 was reached. These findings suggest that A.chevalieri leaf extract possessesanticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic properties.

The anticonvulsant properties of A.chevalieri can be applied in the treatment of epilepsy