ANTICONVULSANT SCREENING OF METHANOL STEM BARK EXTRACT OF Celtis integrifolia Lam (Ulmaceae) IN MICE AND CHICKS

The roots, leaves and bark of Celtis integrifolia Lam (Ulmaceae) are well known in Northern Nigeria in the treatment of epilepsy. This study aimed at investigating the anticonvulsant properties of the methanol stem bark extract of Celtis integrifolia in chicks and mice. The anticonvulsant screening was carried out using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), 4-aminopyridine and strychnine induced convulsion tests in mice and maximal electroshock test in chicks. In the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure test, the extract at 200 mg/kg body weight gave 33.3% protection. The extract significantly (P < 0.01) increased the mean onset of seizure and mean latency to death. In the 4-aminopyridine-induced seizure test, the extract produced significant (P < 0.05) increase in mean onset of seizure at 200 mg/kg and gave 16.7% protection to the mice. The extract did not show any activity in the strychnine-induced convulsion test. The extract statistically (P < 0.05) increased mean onset of seizure but did not affect the mean time of recovery and did not protect the chicks against maximal electroshock seizure. These results suggest that stem bark extract of Celtis integrifolia may possess anticonvulsant properties, hence may support the ethnomedicinal use of the plant in the treatment of epilepsy in Northern Nigeria.