N-Hexane and Butanol Fractions of Methanol Leaf Extracts of Cleistopholis Staudtii Displayed Better Anticonvulsant Effects in Swiss White Mice

Background: Patients use anticonvulsant drugs to manage and handle disorders that are associated with seizures such as epilepsy. One of such drugs is Phenobabirone which is relatively expensive. These drugs however, have made patients to continue to experience inadequate seizure control even while using them. There is need to investigate cheaper sources of anticonvulsant agents. The leaves of Cleistopholis staudtii has been used traditionally to handle convulsant cases and could in future shows therapeutic relevance and use. . Objectives: This research investigated the Anticonvulsant effects of methanol leaf extracts and fractions of Cleistopholis staudtii on swiss white mice. It also compared the anticonvulsant effect of these fractions of the Cleistopholis staudtii leaves with those of Phenobabirone. Methodology: Fifty Swiss white mice (18-32g) were divided into ten (10) groups (n=3)as they were given orally; 10ml/kg 5% tween 80 (Control Group), , 200mg/kg crude extract (Group 3), 400mg/kg crude extract ( Group 4), 200mg/kg N-hexane fraction (group 5), 400mg/kg N-hexane fraction (Group 6), 200mg/kg Ethylacetate fraction ( Group 7), 400mg/kg Ethylacetate fraction ( Group 8), 200mg/kg Butanol fraction (group 9), 400mg/kg Butanol fraction ( Group 10) while Group 2 ( Positive control) was given 60mg/kg Phenobarbitone intraperitoneally . The groups had free access to water. These treatment were for seven(7) days after which they were injected with 200mg/kg Isoniazide and observations were made in regards to convulsion. Results: The control group had convulsions at 34.7±6.07 minutes, while phenobarbitone delayed seizures to 90±0.0 minutes. The crude extract delayed convulsions to 47.3±14.91 minutes at 200 mg/kg and 65±21.93 minutes at 400 mg/kg. The N-Hexane fraction had a similar delay effect to phenobarbitone at both dosages, while the Ethyl Acetate and Butanol fractions had variable results. Mortality rates were 100% in the control group, reduced to 33% with phenobarbitone. The crude extract caused 100% mortality at both doses, and the N-Hexane, Ethyl Acetate, and Butanol fractions had 67% mortality at 400 mg/kg and 100% at lower doses. Phenobarbitone was the most effective, with 0.67±0.09 convulsions, compared to the crude extract with 6.7±1.50 convulsions at 200 mg/kg and 8.7±1.50 at 400 mg/kg. The N-Hexane fraction had 8.7±3.42 convulsions at 200 mg/kg and 10.3±1.70 at 400 mg/kg, while the Ethyl Acetate and Butanol fractions resulted in higher convulsion counts, especially at lower doses. Conclusion: The Research showed that the Butanol Fraction of methanol leaf extracts of Cleistopholis staudtii exhibited better anticonvulsant effects in Swiss white mice.