Anxiolytic-like Effects of the Decoction of Psorospermum febrifugum in Mice

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences,2013,3,1,607-614.
Published:February 2013
Type:Research Articles
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

FCO Moto1,2, E Ngo Bum1,*, E Talla3, GS. Taiwe4, GT. Ngoupaye1,5 

1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.

2Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.

4Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.

5Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.

Abstract:

In Cameroon, leaves of Psorospermum febrifugum Spach (Hypericaceae) (P. febrifugum) are used in traditional medicine to treat anxiety, agitation and fever. Stress induced hyperthermia, elevated plus maze, open field and hole board tests were used to evaluate the anxiolytic properties of the plant in mice. The doses of the decoction used were 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The decoction of P. febrifugum showed antipyretic properties by reducing in a dose dependent manner the body temperature that changed from 36.70 ± 0.62°C to 32.82 ± 1.26°C at the dose of 200 mg/kg. The decoction of P. febrifugum showed also anxiolytic activities in the four tests. In the hole board, P. febrifugum decreased the latency of the first head dip and increased the number of head dips. In the elevated plus maze, P. febrifugum increased the number of entries into open arms, the percentage of entries and time into open arms and reduced rearing, head dipping and the percentage of entries and time into closed arms. In the open field, P. febrifugum like diazepam produced an increase in crossing, grooming and in time spent in the center and reduced the number of rearing. In stress-induced hyperthermia test, P. febrifugum antagonised dose dependently the increase of temperature. ΔT° decrease from 1.87°C in the control group to 0.70°C at the dose of 200 mg/kg. This finding could justify the use of P. febrifugum in traditional medicine in Cameroon in treatment of anxiety and fever.

Effect of P. febrifugum on open arms entries and time in EPM