EFFECTS OF AN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DESMODIUM ADSCENDENS ON CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM IN RODENTS

This study investigates some pharmacological effects of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Desmodium adscendens (Papillionaceae), a medi cinal plant in the African traditional medicine, on the central nervou s system. The plant extract induced hypothermia and had analgesic effe ct in mice. D. adscendens suppressed the tonic phase of convulsion and mortality induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in mice. In addition, t he plant extract delayed the onset of PTZ forelimb clonus, and general ized limbic seizures induced by kainic acid. In contrast, the plant ex tract did not affect either tonic convulsion induced by maximal electr oshock in mice or the progression of limbic seizures towards the statu s epilepticus in rats.