Anticonvulsant and behavioural actions of Myristica fragrans seeds

Abstract

Cycleanine, an alkaloidal extractive from the root bark of Synclisia scabridav, was screened for some peripheral and central effects in addition to acute toxicological investigation. The intraperitoneal LD50 in mice was established as 1010.5 mg/kg. In vivo studies using mice revealed that cycleanine significantly reduced spontaneous motor activity (SMA) in a dose related manner. There was synchronization of EEG and activation of EMG. In vitro studies using isolated rat uterus showed that cycleanine evoked concentration dependent contractions that were resistant to atropine but blocked by salbutamol. These results help to explain the rationale for the folkloric use of the plant in various CNS and peripheral disorders, and also implicate cycleanine as the putative active component.