Abstract

Blighia sapida is used locally for the treatment of fever, diabetes, epilepsy and psychosis. This study was conducted to assess the anticonvulsant potential and toxic effect of the methanol extract (MEBS) of the plant. Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), 4-aminopyridine, picrotoxin and maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizures were used to evaluate the anticonvulsant activities in mice and chicks. The oral LD50 was found to be greater than 5000mg/kg. Tannins and alkaloids make up the major secondary metabolites. In (PTZ) seizure test, the extracts significantly (P < 0.01) increase the mean onset of seizure. The same doses conferred 16.67 to 50.0% protection against PTZ-induced convulsion in mice. The extract produced a weak activity against 4- aminopyridine induced convulsion, the effect was only significant (p<0.05) at higher dose of 1000 mg/kg. The doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg protected 33.3% , while 1000 mg/kg protected 66.7% of the animals against clonic-tonic convulsions induced by picrotoxin and prolonged the latency of convulsed animals with significant difference (p<0.05) at 500mg/kg and p<0.01 at 1000 mg/kg. Treatment with the MEBS did not produce significant changes in hematological parameters and liver function indices in all cases as compared to the distilled water groups. These findings suggest that the (MEBS) possess anticonvulsant activity and is worthy of further investigation.