Sedative effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Newbouldia laevis in mice and rats.

The effect of the methanolic extract of Newbouldia laevis seem on the central nervous system of rats and mice was investigated. The extract was tested on spontaneous motor activity, exploratory behaviour, apomorphine induced climbing behaviour in mice and pentobarbital induced hypnosis in rats. The extract caused considerable reductions of exploratory activity, spontaneous motor activity and prolonged pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis in rats. It was also found to attenuate apomorphine climbing in mice. The results suggest that the methanolic extract of Newbouldia laevis may contain principles that have sedative properties.