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ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, herbal medicines are employed in the management of various ailments. Icacina tricantha, one of such herbal medicines is claimed to possess anti-diabetic, antiinflammatory, muscle relaxant and aphrodiasic properties. This study was carried out to explore the anti-convulsant properties of I. tricantha, and to evaluate the histopathological changes in the livers, kidneys, hearts, lungs, spleens and brains of rats following chronic administration of I. tricantha leaf extract. Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity profile of Icacina tricantha were evaluated using standard protocols. Graded doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) of the hydromethanolic extract of I.tricantha leaves were used for the anticonvulsant screening in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizure model in mice. Rats were treated daily for 28 days at dose levels of 250 - 2,000 mg/kg of I. tricantha, after which they were humanely sacrificed, organs collected and used for histopathological assays In this study, the highest dose of I. tricantha (400 mg/kg) protected 50% of the animals from PTZ induced death. Histopathological analysis showed noticeable increased blood supply and tissue perfusion in the livers, kidneys, hearts, lungs and spleen of test animals but no changes in the cerebellum. Results indicate that the hydromethanolic extract of Icacina tricantha is relatively safe
