Anticonvulsant effects of extracts of the west African black pepper, Piper guineense

J Ethnopharmacol. 1993 Jun;39(2):113-7. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(93)90026-2.

Abstract

A water extract of the West African black pepper Piper guineense L. was tested for activity against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice, and against seizures induced in T.O. mice by N-methyl-DL-aspartate (NMDLA), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroschock. Single intraperitoneal doses of the extract produced significant protection of DBA/2 mice against audiogenic seizures. The highest of three doses tested produced 100% and 58% protection at 6 h and 18 h after treatment, respectively. The extract also protected T.O. mice against convulsions induced by NMDLA and maximal electroshock but it had no significant effect on PTZ-induced convulsions. The doses of the extract tested did not cause significant impairment of performance of T.O. mice on a rotarod test. The results indicate that the extract of P. guineense has prolonged anticonvulsant activity at doses which do not cause significant CNS depression.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology*
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • Male
  • Medicine, African Traditional*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Pentylenetetrazole
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Spices*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Plant Extracts
  • Water
  • Ethanol
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Pentylenetetrazole