Toxicity and effects on the central nervous system of a Cerbera odollam leaf extract.

The immediate and delayed toxicity of Cerbera odollam leaf extract was studied in mice. Under the experimental conditions adopted, using macroscopic and microscopic examinations, Cerbera odollam leaves appeared to be relatively devoid of the marked toxicity found in seeds, a common source of poisoning. At doses smaller than the maximal dose never lethal (14.5 g/kg i.p.), the leaf extract decreased mice spontaneous motor activity significantly, increased the reaction time to a thermal stimulus, reduced the duration of pentylenetetrazole-induced tonic seizures and mortality, and potentiated sodium pentobarbital-generated hypnotic effects.