Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) leaf fractions protect against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion in mice

Purpose: To investigate the anticonvulsant effect of Glyphaea brevis leaf fractions using a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in mice. Methods: Glyphaea brevis leaf methanol extract was partitioned using n-hexane and hydro-methanol (8:2). Seizure was assessed in terms of onset of myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizure, duration of seizure and frequency of seizure. The concentrations of glutathione of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in the brain of the mice were also determined. Results: The administration of the different fractions of Glyphaea brevis leaf prior to induction of seizure with PTZ prolonged the latency of convulsion in mice as well as a significant (p < 0.05) decline in the intensity of convulsion was observed. In relation to the untreated mice, there was a rise in the levels of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the brain, but a decrease in malondialdehyde levels. Conclusion: The study results show that the fractions of Glyphaea brevis leaf have anticonvulsive properties, proving that the plant’s use in folklore medicine for treating convulsion