Effects of the Methanol Leaf Extract of Sansevieria liberica on the Central Nervous System in Mice

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of the methanol leaf extract of Sansevieria liberica (SL) on the Central Nervous System (CNS) in mice. Materials and methods: The spectrum of activities studied, includes the effects of SL on hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, on picrotoxin-induced convulsions and on pains produced by acetic acid and by noxious heat. Results: The extract was found to exhibits sedative effect, as it prolongs hexobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice. SL was also found to possess analgesic property, as it reduced the pain episodes produced by acetic acid and by noxious heat in mice. However, the extract did not demonstrate anticonvulsant property, as it failed to prevent convulsions and could not delay significantly the onset of seizures in picrotoxin-treated animals. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the leaf extract of Sanseviera liberica contained phytochemically active ingredients with CNS depressant and analgesic effects.