Neurobehavioral Effects and Toxicity Profile of Methanol Extract of Dialium guineense in Laboratory Animals

Background and Objective: Dialium guineense is a medium-sized tree that is well distributed in Benin Republic, Cameroon, Gambia and Nigeria, is reported to have wide ethnomedicinal applications notably in fever, abdominal pain, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and antiulcer-conditions.This study evaluated the phytochemistry, toxicity profile and central nervous system depressant effect of methanol leaf extract of Dialium guineense in mice and rats.Materials and Methods: The CNS depressant activities were evaluated using phenobarbitone-induced sleep, Hole-Board Test, Beam walking assay of motor coordination deficit and diazepam-induced sleep models.Results: The methanol leaf extract at 400 mg kgG 1 Dialium guineense significantly decrease the onset of sleep in mice (p<0.05).The extract also caused a significant (p<0.05)decrease in the number of head dips of mice in the Hole-Board Test.The methanol leaf extract of Dialium guineense significantly (p<0.05)increased the number of foot slips of mice in beam walk assay of motor coordination deficit.Also, there is no alteration in the haematological and biochemical markers of toxicity.Conclusion: The methanol leaf extract of Dialium guineense contains bioactive phytochemicals with central nervous system depressant activity and the toxicity studies indicated that it is relatively safe.