Some Neuropharmacological  Properties of Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of  Ficus Ingens (Miquel) Miquel in Mice and Chicks

Abstract

Ficus ingens (Miquel) Miquel belongs to the Moraceae family. In some African countries, extracts of the bark are administered to cows with a low milk production, and to people suffering from anaemia, piles and diarrhea.

The behavior of living organisms is a visible manifestation of activity of the central nervous system, and mental and behavioural disorders pose a burden to the affected individual and the society at large, and anxiety disorders are inclusive occurring as the most common mental disorder.

In this study, the behavioural effects of methanolic extract of Ficus ingens (Miquel) Miquel stem bark were investigated in mice at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg, using diazepam-induced sleeping time, hole board test, beam walking assay, elevated plus maze, elevated zero maze and staircase test in mice.

The results revealed that the extract significantly (P<0.0005) prolonged the duration of diazepam-induced sleep without any effect on the latency to sleep at all the doses tested.

The extract slightly decreased the number of head dips in the exploratory behaviour of mice in  the hole board test; it also had a slight effect on the motor coordination of the mice in the beam walking assay.

The extract showed anxiolysis in the staircase test characterized by significant (P<0.0005) decrease in the rearing behaviour.

The extract had no significant  effect on the number of open arm entries nor the time spent in the open arms as compared to the control group in both the plus maze and the zero maze.

Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

The World Health organization (WHO) has recommended, especially in developing countries, the initiation of programmes designed to use medicinal plants more effectively in traditional health care systems (WHO, 1978).

Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plants, animals and mineral based medicine, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly, or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well being (WHO, 2001).

A number of countries are exploring the possibility of developing their own traditional health care system (with plants playing a central role) as an alternative to conventional health care systems which are usually expensive and unaffordable to the vast majority of their citizenry.

WHO (2001) also reported that in some African countries the first line of treatment for children with high fever resulting from malaria is the use of herbal medicine at home while in countries like China, traditional herbal preparations account for about 30% – 50% of the total medicine consumption.

Worldwide, more than fifty (50) million people suffer from epilepsy many of whom are refractory to treatment with standard antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

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