Plant grown in Nigeria shows potential for treating epilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results from imbalances in chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. This disorder manifests as recurrent seizures, loss of consciousness and momentary loss of memory. These events are frequent and unpredictable. This is because brain cells called neurons are overworked or unable to balance the release of two chemicals essential for normal brain function: gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate.

The burden of epilepsy in Nigeria is high, with an estimated prevalence of eight per 1,000 people.

Adults over 55 have a higher risk factor for developing epilepsy because they are more likely to have a head injury, stroke, or develop brain tumors or Alzheimer’s disease, which can all cause epilepsy. But epilepsy also occurs in childhood.

Epilepsy is a serious illness and it can be difficult to find the right medicine to treat it. Some commonly used anti-epileptic drugs can cause side effects. Most are expensive, and some can be ineffective. It is therefore necessary to explore new alternatives.

A plant that grows in Nigeria shows promise as a source of a new drug.

Tetrapleura tetraptera also known as aidan and uyayak, is a tree found in the rainforest belt of West Africa. It is single-stemmed and measures approximately 30 m high. Its fruit, the most used part, is green when unripe, dark red-brown when fully ripe, and is 22-27 cm long. This fruit gives off a characteristic aromatic smell, which makes it a sought-after spice in some Nigerian dishes.

Certain traditional medical practices, as well as research reports, have sparked our interest in its potential in the management of epilepsy.

Our research on the plant revealed that an extract from its fruit could protect against seizures and prevent brain degeneration. It could therefore be studied further for the development of a new antiepileptic drug.

What we have done

To test the plant’s properties, we caused prolonged epileptic seizures in laboratory animals and gave the fruit extract to some animals. We gave a standard antiepileptic drug, sodium valproate, to another group of animals.

Approval for the study was granted by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at Uyo University, Nigeria. All recommendations and protocols involving the handling and care of animals by the National Research Council of the United States of America have been strictly followed in our research.

Aidan extract prevented the onset of seizure as did sodium valproate.

Epilepsy causes degeneration of brain cells. But we found that Aidan protected animal brains better against degeneration than sodium valproate.

Neurodegenerative diseases cause damage to the brain and nerves over time. They can change the personality and cause confusion. They can also destroy brain tissue and nerves.

We have found useful properties in the plant’s phytochemicals – the compounds it produces. Phytochemicals, also called secondary metabolites, are the active constituents of these plants. These include tannins, phenolics, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Metabolites help the body resist stress, overcome cell damage, and fight germs, among other functions.

The ratios of these phytochemicals to each other determine the unique properties of plants. Aidan is rich in phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids; these phytochemicals are responsible for the antioxidant properties of plants known to protect against metabolic stress. Metabolic stress often leads to an array of illnesses.

Aidan is also a source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamins. This makes the plant very useful nutritionally and medicinally.

After that ?

Our findings are important because the potential of this plant can be explored for the development of anti-epileptic drugs. As a natural product, it not only has anti-epileptic activity, it contains many constituents which can also serve as an alternative medicine or as an adjunct to medicines in other related diseases.

Clinical trials of crude or pure samples can be undertaken for the development of antiepileptic drugs as a first phase of clinical use of the plant.

Moses B. Ekong does not work, consult, own stock, or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and did not disclose any relevant affiliation beyond his academic appointment. .

By Moses B. Ekong, Senior Lecturer, Uyo University