LUCY BİNDA JOHN-AFRICA, LOVELYN KESİENNAELOUR, SAMUEL EHİABHİ OKHALE, BULUS ADZU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sciencia - 2021;59(3):501-514
Alysicarpus ovalifolius (fabaceae) is an herb used as ingredient of tea that is consumed as a tonic in Northern Nigeria. This study evaluated effects of aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Alysicarpus ovalifolius (AO) on physical performance in Swiss albino mice. Phytoconstituents were identified by HPLC. Performance was assessed by exhaustive swim, rotarod, four limb-hanging and hypoxia test. Effects on diazepam-induced sleep was also evaluated. HPLC detected presence of caffeic (60.34%) and chlorogenic acids (3.44%) and rutin (0.19%). The extract (100 400mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in swimming time; increased time spent on the rotarod and also increased duration in the fourlimb hanging test. No significant effect was observed in endurance to hypoxic condition. Diazepam-induced sleeping time was significantly decreased in AO-treated animals. These observations were comparable to caffeine (15mg/kg). The aqueous extract of Alysicarpus ovalifolius increased physical performance in mice by enhancing endurance, muscle strength and co-ordination.
