Anticonvulsant activity of methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch. (Burseraceae) in mice and chicks

Background: Boswellia dalzielii is a widely used medicinal plant in African traditional medicine. The efficacy of its stem bark extract in management of convulsions is well acclaimed among communities of Northern Nigeria. Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant potentials of methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii in mice and chicks. Methodology: Phytochemical screening, elemental analysis and acute toxicity studies was carried out. The extract was evaluated for anticonvulsant activity against electrically-induced seizures in chicks and against pentylenetetrazole, strychnine, picrotoxin and 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures in mice at doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg. Results: The intraperitoneal LD 50 was estimated to be 280 and 570 mg/kg in mice and chicks respectively. The extract at 20 mg/kg provided 40% protection and significantly (p<0.05) increased the mean onset of seizure in MEST. A dose-dependent and significant (p<0.05) increase in the mean onsets of pentylenetetrazole and strychnine-induced seizures were produced by the extract at 80 mg/kg. Similarly, a dose-dependent and significant increase (p<0.05 and p<0.01) in latency to picrotoxin-induced convulsions was observed at 40 and 80 mg/kg respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggests the methanol stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii possesses anticonvulsant activities and thus supports the ethnomedical rationale for its use against convulsions. Keywords: Anticonvulsant, Boswellia dalzielii , Epilepsy, Pentylenetetrazole, Picrotoxin