George A. Koffuor, Eric Woode, Abraham Y. Mensah
Neurobehavioural evaluation is an important component of testing for the neurotoxic potential of drugs. The aim of this study therefore is to ascertain the safety for use of a polyherbal antihypertensive product on the Ghana market (made from bark and leaf extracts of Persea Americana and Vernonia amygdalina) by assessing neurobehavioural effects and safety profile when administered to ICR mice. The effects of 55 - 550 mg/kg of the product on general health (home-cage/open-field observations), locomotory activity (motion, rearing, centering), muscular coordination and strength (grip strength and rotarod tests), vestibular function (righting reflex response), liver and kidney function, hematological profile, and urine content was assessed. One hour post-treatment observation in neurobehavioral studies revealed significant dose-dependent reduction (P ≤ 0.05-0.001) in locomotion, rearing, centering grip strength, muscle coordination, and righting response. These observations were insignificant 24 hours post-treatment. Acute and delayed toxicity studies showed no involuntary/abnormal motor movements, stereotypy, bizarre behaviors, abnormal gait and posture, clinical signs, and mortality. There were no significant differences in measured hematological parameters except for WBCs (P ≤ 0.05), liver function tests, and urine analysis between treated and untreated mice. While creatinine levels were normal, urea levels were significantly high (P ≤ 0.05) at higher doses of treatment. The product is not lethal but could cause central nervous system depression, anxiolysis, and probably muscle relaxation which warrants cautioning users.
