Central Nervous System Depressant Effect of Senna occidentalis Linn. (Fabaceae) Leaf Extract in Mice

Senna occidentalis has been used in traditional medicine in Nigeria for managing various ailments in traditional medicine. This study was aimed at evaluating the central nervous system depressant effect of ethanol leaf extract of Senna occidentalis in mice. Thirty mice of either sex were taken and divided into five groups of six animals each. First group was considered as negative control in diazepam-induced sleeping time (normal saline + diazepam), second, third, fourth and fifth as test groups (with 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg doses of the extract + diazepam). All the drugs were administered intraperitoneal (i.p). The extract showed significant decrease in the onset of sleep at doses of 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg (p<0.05; One-way ANOVA). The number of head dips have significantly decreased at p<0.05 for all the graded doses of the extract. Beam walking test for motor deficits, showed significant increase in the number of foot slips at the same graded doses at p<0.05 with no significant difference in the time taken to complete the task. The study showed that leaf ethanol extract of Senna occidentalis possess CNS depressant effect, and serve as a good sedative as such, can save patients from many doses of anesthetic medication usually administered during surgery in conventional medicine when used.