SOME NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE SEED OIL EXTRACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA L. IN MICE AND CHICKS

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is one of the species of the family: Moringaceae, native to Africa, Asia, South America and
Caribbean Island. It has been reportedly used in nervous system disorders (such as muscle spasm, epilepsy and
hysteri). This study investigates the anticonvulsant, hypnotic and anxiolytic potentials of the oil of the plant. The
anticonvulsant effect of the extract was determined using Maximal electroshock test in chicks, Pentylenetetrazole
and strychnine-induced seizure tests in mice. The sleep modulating potential of the extract was investigated using
pentobarbitone sleeping time in mice The anxiolytic activity was evaluated using Elevated plus maze, Hole board
and Beam walking tests in mice. The extract dose-dependently decreased the recovery time from tonic hind limb
extension in the 500 and 1000mg/kg treated groups in the MES induce seizure model. In the PTZ-induced seizure
model, the extract at a dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg afforded 60% protection and significantly (p < 0.05) prolonged
the onset of seizure in unprotected animals. In the elevated plus maze test, the extract insignificantly increased the
frequency of entry and time spent in the open arm. In the hole board test, the extract significantly (p˂0.05) decreased
the number of head dips. The extract did not significantly alter number of foot slips in the beam walking assay.
These results suggest that the n-hexane extract of Moringa oleifera seed possessed sedative and anti-convulsant
activities and lend credence to the ethnomedicinal use of the oil of the plant in the management of epilepsy, anxiety
and insomnia.