ABSTRACT

Rauwolfia vomitoria is a natural medicinal herb which has been used over the years for the treatment of various diseases including hypertension, insomnia, mental disorder and high blood pressure. A comparative study of sedative and biochemical effect of R. vomitoria and diazepam on the white albino rats. 25 adult male white rats weighing between 220 mg and 250 mg were used for this study. They were divided into five groups A, B, C, D and E of five rats each. Group B, C and D where the experimental rates while group A and E are the controls. Oral dose of 200 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg of R. vomitoria extract was administered to the rats in group B, C and D respectively while group A receive Diazepam 3mg/kg, and group E normal. The sedative test where carried out using Tunnel walk, method, backward reversal test and thiopenton induced sleeping time. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in tunnel walk time among the R. vomitoria groups with ‘D’ having the highest increase. The thiopenton sleeping time shows a reduction in time of sleep in Group B, C and D when compared to the controls. The various biochemical test carried out shows no negative effect on the liver and kidney function. This study suggest that rauwolfia vomitoria is safe when use as a sedative.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of contents v

List of tables x

List of figures xi

Abstract xii

CHAPTER ONE

1.1. Introduction 1          

1.2 Aim of the Study 2

CHAPTER TWO                                                                                             

2.0. Back Ground of Study 3

2.1 Description and Ecology 3

2.1.2 Phytochemicals 4

2.1.3 Pharmacological Importance 6

2.1.4 Health Benefit 6

2.1.4 Economic Benefit 7

2.1.5 Sedative Effect of Rauwolfia Vomitoria 8

2.1.5.1 Mechanism of Action    8

2.2.0. Sedatives 11

2.2.1 History of Sedatives 11

2.2.2 Mechanism of Actions of Sedatives 12

2.2.3. Diazepam 12

2.2.4. Pharmacology of Diazepam 13

2.2.5. Mechanism of Action 13

2.2.6. Therapeutic Use 14

2.3     Thiopental 14

2.3.1. Pharmacology 15

2.3.2. Mechanism of Action 15

2.3.3. Therapeutic Use 15

2.3.4. Psychiatry 15

2.3.5. Status Epileptics 15

2.3.6. Medically Induced Coma 16

2.3.7. Sedative Activity 16

2.3.8. Control of Convulsion 16

CHAPTER THREE

3.1    Materials and Methods 17

3.1.1 Equipments           17

3.1.2. Reagents 17

3.1.3. Plant Collection and Identification 18

3.1.4. Preparation of the Plant Extract 18

3.1.5. Experimental Animals 18

3.2.1. Oral Acute Toxicity Study 19

3.2.2. Tunnel Work 19

3.2.3. Backward Reverse Activity 19

3.2.4. Thiopenton induced sleeping time 20

3. 3. Biochemical Test            20

3. 3.1 Blood Glucose Level 21

3.3.2 Statistical Analysis 21

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0  Results 22

4.1 Sedative Test 22

4.1.1. Tunnel Work 22

4.1.3 Backward Reverse Test 22

4.1.4 Thiopenton Induced Sleeping Time           23

4.2 Biochemical Analysis 23

CHAPETR FIVE

5.1 Discussion 27

5.2 Conclusion / Recommendation 28

5.2 Recommendation 29

References

Appendix