Central nervous system activity of the ethanol leaf extract of Sida acuta in rats.

BACKGROUND

The study investigated the pharmacological effects of ethanol extract of Sida acuta leaves on central nervous system activities in mice.

METHODS

Adult male mice (18 - 25g) were used for the study. The extract was administered orally in male mice and evaluated in the following tests: forced swimming, tail suspension, formalin-induced paw licking, acetic acid--induced mouse writhing and apomorphine-induced stereotypy.

RESULTS

The results revealed a reduction in the frequency of abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid, decreased licking times in both phases of the formalin test, reduction in immobility times in forced swimming and tail suspension tests. However, the extract produced no effect on apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the ethanol extract of Sida acuta contains psychoactive substances with analgesic and antidepressant-like properties which may be beneficial in the management of pain.