Extracts of Feretia apodanthera Del. demonstrated anticonvulsant activities against seizures induced by chemicals and maximal electroshock

G S Taiwe; F C O Moto; S Pale; A K Kandeda; Amadou Dawe; N Kouemou; E R M Ayissi; G T Ngoupaye; J S K Njapdounke; G C N Nkantchoua; J P O Omam; D Pahaye; E Ngo Bum

doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.08.009

Extracts of Feretia apodanthera Del. demonstrated anticonvulsant activities against seizures induced by chemicals and maximal electroshock

Epilepsy Res. 2016 Nov:127:30-39. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.08.009. Epub 2016 Aug 12.

Authors

G S Taiwe¹, F C O Moto², S Pale¹, A K Kandeda³, Amadou Dawe⁴, N Kouemou¹, E R M Ayissi², G T Ngoupaye⁵, J S K Njapdounke⁶, G C N Nkantchoua⁶, J P O Omam², D Pahaye⁶, E Ngo Bum⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
² Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Yaoundé 1, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
³ Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Maroua, P. O. Box 55, Maroua, Cameroon.
⁵ Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
⁶ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
⁷ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. Electronic address: eli_bum@yahoo.fr.

PMID: 27544486
DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.08.009

Abstract

Extracts of Feretia apodanthera Del. (Rubiaceae) have been extensively used in traditional Cameroonian medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including some neurological disorders. The present study was aimed to tests the anticonvulsant properties of the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction of the stem barks of Feretia apodanthera. The anticonvulsant investigation was carried out against bicuculline-, picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol-, Methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate-, N-Methyl-D-aspartate-, 4-aminopyridine-, and maximal electroshock-induced seizures or turning behavior in mice. The aqueous extract protected mice against bicuculline-, picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol-, Methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate-, N-methyl-D-aspartate -, 4-aminopyridine- and maximal electroshock-induced seizures or turning behavior. Also, N-Methyl-D-aspartate-, 4-aminopyridine- and maximal electroshock- induced seizures or turning behavior, were significantly antagonized by the alkaloid fraction (80mg/kg) from Feretia apodanthera. The total protection of mice provided by the aqueous extract against convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol or picrotoxin was anagonized by flumazenil, a specific antagonist of the benzodiazepine site in the GABA_A receptor complex. The aqueous extract of Feretia apodanthera (but not the alkaloid fraction) increased the brain GABA content and inhibited the GABA transaminase activity. In conclusion, Feretia apodanthera was revealed possessing anticonvulsant effects in mice, likely via the GABAergic neurotransmission.

Keywords: Alkaloid fraction; Anticonvulsant; Aqueous extract; Feretia apodanthera; Traditional medicine.

MeSH terms

4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / metabolism
Alkaloids / chemistry
Animals
Anticonvulsants / chemistry
Anticonvulsants / pharmacology*
Brain / drug effects
Brain / metabolism
Disease Models, Animal
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
GABA Modulators / pharmacology
Male
Mice
Phytotherapy*
Plant Bark / chemistry
Plant Extracts / chemistry
Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
Receptors, GABA-A / chemistry
Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
Rubiaceae*
Seizures / drug therapy*
Water / chemistry

Substances

Alkaloids
Anticonvulsants
GABA Modulators
Plant Extracts
Receptors, GABA-A
Water
4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase