Research ArticleOpen Access

Ficus Thonnigii Enhances Exploratory / Locomotor Activities in Mice

Volume 8 - Issue 5

**Aduema W¹*, Vidonna WB², Amah AK³ and Akunneh Wariso C⁴**

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- ¹Department of Medical Physiology, PAMO, University of Medical Sciences, Nigeria
- ²Department of Human Anatomy, Gregory University, Nigeria
- ³Department of Medical Physiology, Imo State University, Nigeria
- ⁴Department of Human Physiology, Abia State University, Nigeria
*Corresponding author: Aduema wadioni, Department of Medical Physiology, PAMO, University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Received: September 6, 2018; Published: September 10, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.08.001718

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Abstract

Ficus thonningii plant has been reported to be used for the treatment of various ailments, such as stomach ache, pain diarrhea, etc. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate its effect on exploratory/locomotor activities of the ethanol extract of the leaves of the plant. Exploration/locomotor behavior were assessed using the open field maze and the light/dark transition box tests. Animals were divided into three groups containing 10 mice each. Group A served as the control which was administered 1ml of distilled water, while Group B and Group C which were the low and high dose groups, were administered 10mg/kg and 25mg/kg of the plant extract for two weeks period. Prior to the administration of the extract and commencement of the experiment, the LD₅₀ of the plant was determined. The result showed a dose dependent increase in the line crosses and center square entries (p<0.01). The frequency of stretch attend posture and duration of freezing were also significantly higher (p<0.05; p<0.001) compared to control. This means that the mice were more exploratory in behavior and less fearful/anxious. Similar results were obtained in the light /dark transition box test, were the line crosses and stretch attend posture also showed that the low and high dose statistically higher compared to control (p<0.01; p<0.05). The frequency of transition was also increased (p<0.05; p<0.01). In conclusion, ethanol extract of Ficus thonningii increase exploration/ locomotor activities in mice.