Worldwide, there are plants known as psychoactive plants that naturally contain psychedelic active components. They have a high concentration of neuroprotective substances that can interact with the nervous system to produce psychedelic effects. Despite these plants' hazardous potential, recreational use of them is on the rise because of their psychoactive properties. Early neuroscience studies relied heavily on psychoactive plants and plant natural products (NPs), and both recreational and hazardous NPs have contributed significantly to the understanding of almost all neurotransmitter systems. Worldwide, there are many plants that contain psychoactive properties, and people have been using them for ages. Psychoactive plant compounds may significantly alter how people perceive the world.
1. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 May 23;272:113955. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113955. Epub 2021 Feb 19. Anticonvulsant effects of the aqueous and methanol extracts from the stem bark of Psychotria camptopus Verdc. (Rubiacaea) in rats. Fokoua AR(1), Ndjenda MK 2nd(2), Kaptué Wuyt A(3), Tatsinkou Bomba FD(4), Dongmo AK(5), Chouna R(6), Nkeng-Efouet PA(7), Nguelefack TB(8). Author information: (1)Research Unit of Neuro-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon; Fondation Alango, Center for African Phytomedicine, P.O. Box, 371, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: aliancefar@yahoo.fr. (2)Research Unit of Neuro-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: magloirendjenda@yahoo.fr. (3)Research Unit of Neuro-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: adeline.wuyt@yahoo.fr. (4)Research Unit of Neuro-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: botafd@yahoo.fr. (5)Laboratory of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon; Fondation Alango, Center for African Phytomedicine, P.O. Box, 371, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: appolinaire.dongmo@yahoo.fr. (6)Laboratory of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon; Fondation Alango, Center for African Phytomedicine, P.O. Box, 371, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: chounajr@yahoo.fr. (7)Laboratory of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon; Fondation Alango, Center for African Phytomedicine, P.O. Box, 371, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: pnfalango@yahoo.fr. (8)Research Unit of Neuro-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: nguelefack@yahoo.fr. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: The decoction from the stem bark of Psychotria camptopus (Rubiaceae) is used in the Cameroonian pharmacopoeia to treat neurological pathologies including epilepsy. AIM: The present work was undertaken to study the anticonvulsant properties of the aqueous (AE) and methanol (ME) extracts from the stem bark of P. camptopus in acute models of epileptic seizures in Wistar rats. METHOD: AE and ME were obtained by decoction and maceration of the stem bark powder in water and methanol, respectively. They were tested orally at the doses of 40, 80 and 120 mg/kg, on the latency of onset and duration of epileptic seizures induced by pentylene tetrazole (PTZ, 70 mg/kg, i.p.). The kinetic effect of both extracts at 120 mg/kg was evaluated. Their effects on diazepam (50 mg/kg) induced sleep and strychnine (STR, 2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) induced seizures were determined. ME was further tested on picrotoxin (PIC, 7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and thiosemicarbazide (TSC, 50 mg/kg, i.p.) induced seizure models. The phytochemical composition of ME was assessed using LC-MS method, as well as its acute toxicity. RESULTS: AE and ME significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the duration of seizures in both PTZ and STR models. Their maximal effect was observed at 1 h after administration, though their effect at 120 mg/kg was maintained (p < 0.05) up to 24 h post-treatment. Both extracts significantly (p < 0.01) reduced sleep duration. ME significantly (p < 0.001) increased the latency of rat death on PIC-induced convulsions. In TSC rats, ME significantly (p < 0.001) delayed the latency to the first convulsion, and decreased the duration and frequency of convulsions. ME showed no acute toxicity while its phytochemical screening revealed the presence of two flavonoids (Rutin and Butin), two triterpenoid saponins (Psycotrianoside B and Bauerenone) and four alkaloids (10-Hydroxy-antirhine, 10-hydroxy-iso-deppeaninol, Emetine and Hodkinsine). In conclusion, AE and ME from the stem bark of P. camptopus have comparable anticonvulsant properties. The effect of ME is likely due to the presence of flavonoids and alkaloid and the activation of GABA pathway. These results further justify and support the use of P. camptopus in traditional medicine for the treatment of epilepsy. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113955 PMID: 33610704 [Indexed for MEDLINE]