Authors : Elisabeth Ngo Bum , Neteydji Sidiki , Taiwe , Paul Fasutin Seke Etet , Frededic Maidawa , Silvere Vincent Rakotonirina and Alice Rakotonirina
Abstract: The decoction of Balanites aegyptiaca, a plant used in traditional medicine in Africa for many diseases, possesses anticonvulsant and sedative activity in mice. This decoction protected mice against strychnine- and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures. But Balanites aegyptiaca decoction had no effect against picrotoxin-induced seizures. In the other side, the decoction of Balanites aegyptiaca potentiated sleep-induced by diazepam. The total sleep time of the control group was multiply by 4 in the presence of the decoction at a dose of 1000 mg /kg (from 12 to 59 min). With these effects, the decoction of Balanites aegyptiaca L. seem to posses sedative and anticonvulsant properties that might explain its use as a traditional medicine for epilepsy in Africa.
Elisabeth Ngo Bum , Neteydji Sidiki , Taiwe , Paul Fasutin Seke Etet , Frededic Maidawa , Silvere Vincent Rakotonirina and Alice Rakotonirina , 2005. Sedative and Anticonvulsant Properties of the Decoction of Balanites aegyptiaca (Balanitaceae) . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 34-38.