The anti-seizure and anti-nociceptive potential of hexane fraction from the leaves of Detarium senegalense

Detarium senegalense, J.F. Gmelin (Fabaceae) is used in Nigerian folk medicine to treat different diseases including epilepsy, microbial infections, gastrointestinal diseases and inflammation; its efficacy is widely acclaimed among communities in South Eastern Nigeria. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-seizure and anti-nociceptive potential of hexane fraction from the leaves of D. senegalense The hexane fraction of D. senegalense leaf was evaluated to determine the effect of the oral administration of the extract (100 – 400 mg/kg) against seizure using the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), brucine, isoniazid (INH) induced seizure models and analgesic activity using the writhing and water tail immersion tests in mice. The hexane fraction of the extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the latency period in seizures induced by PTZ, brucine and isoniazid, and significantly reduced the duration of seizures induced by these three inducing agents. The extract also protected 67 % of animals against death. In acetic acid-induced writhing models and tail immersion models, the fraction showed a good analgesic effect characterized by a significant (p<0.05 – p<0.01) reduction in the number of writhes when compared to the control and a significant (p<0.05 – p<0.01 increase in the latency in a dose-related manner. The findings of the present study validated the folkloric use of Detarium senegalense leaves in seizure disorders as well as painful conditions.