Abstract

The anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria(Afzel) was investigated by testing the effects of the extract on strychnine-, picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazole induced seizures in mice. Experiments were carried out on male albino mice and the animals were randomly allotted to the different control and test groups. The extract, at a dose of 200 mg/kg, prolonged the onset of seizures from strychnine, picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazole in the animals. Acute toxicity testing produced a medial lethal dose of 17.5 g/kg. Phytochemical screening of the plant reveals the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and reducing sugars. The results indicate a possible efficacy potential of the aqueous leaf extract of R.  vomitoria in convulsions.

Key words: Rauvolfia vomitoria, convulsion, phytochemical, acute toxicity.