Neuro-Behavioural Responses to Aqueous Leaf Extract of Luffa Aegyptiaca Mill on Mefloquine-Induced Seizure of Albino Wistar Rat Using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM)

The neuro-behavioural responses to luffa aergyptiaca mill on mefloquine-induced seizure was investigated in rats. Thirty (30) Albino Wistar rats Weighing (190-250g) were randomly assigned into 5 groups with five rats in each group. Group one was control. Group two was induced with mefloquine only (4.28mg/kg). Group three were Induced with mefloquine (4.28mg/kg) & treated with diazepam (5ml/kg). Group four were Induced (4.28kg/kg) with mefloquine & treated with low dose luffa aergyptiaca mill (400mg/kg). Group five were Induced with mefloquine (4.28mg/kg) & treated with high dose luffa aergyptiaca mill (1200mg/kg). Doses of mefloquine and aqueous luffa aergyptiaca mill leaf extract were administered to the adult Wistar rats according to their individual body weight. After thirty (30) minutes of administration, the rat was placed subsequently in the center platform of the maze then observed for five (5) minutes. Open arm entries, closed arm entries, time spent in open arm, time spent in closed arm, grooming and frequency of rearing were recorded with a video camera. Precaution was taken to ensure that no external stimulus evokes anxiety in the rat. From the experiment, it was observed that control only has a steady task performance, mefloquine only has low entry into open arm indicating high level of anxiety, while mefloquine plus high dose luffa aergyptiaca mill has high entry into open arm indicating decreased in anxiety activity, hence P 0.05 is significant for open arm entry. It is observed that there was no significant difference across the groups in time spent in closed. There was significant difference for time spent in open arm. Mefloquine plus high dose luffa aergyptiaca mill has the highest time spent in open arm indicating decreased anxiety while mefloquine only has the lowest indicating increase in anxiety, hence P 0.05 is significant. Grooming was high in mefloquine only compared to control and treated groups. There was significant different between control and mefloquine plus high dose luffa aergyptiaca mill for frequency of rearing.The results suggest that aqueous extract of leaf of luffa aergyptiaca mill causes neurobehavioral responses in rats.

Key Words: Nuero-behavioural, Luffa Aergyptiaca Mill, Aqueous Extract, Mefloquine, Seizure, Elevated Plus Maze