Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Properties of Alchornea cordifolia ((Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg.) and Morinda lucida (Benth.) in the Treatment of Insomnia in Sprague - Dwaley Rats
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
- 2UFSM
- 3Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Nigeria
- 4Biological Unit, Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder associated with significant health and functional impairments. The adverse effects of conventional sedatives have stimulated interest in safer plant-derived alternatives. This study investigated the sedative effects of ethanol and fermented pap water (FPW) extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Morinda lucida leaves, traditionally used for insomnia management. Fresh leaves were air-dried, pulverised, and extracted using ethanol or FPW. Sedative activity was evaluated in rats using the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time test. Extracts were administered orally at 400 mg/kg either individually or in a 1:1 combination. Compared with the control group, extract-treated animals showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in rearing, line crossings, and centre crossings in the OFT, indicating decreased locomotor activity. The combination of M. lucida, FPW, and phenobarbitone group V and VII produced the most pronounced anxiolytic response, comparable to the reference drug. In the EPM, treated rats exhibited significantly fewer open-arm entries but spent longer durations in the open arms than controls, suggesting reduced anxiety-like behaviour. All extract-treated groups significantly potentiated phenobarbitone-induced sleep, with the greatest enhancement observed in the group V and VII group. These findings demonstrate that ethanol and FPW extracts of A. cordifolia and M. lucida possess sedative and anxiolytic activities, likely through central nervous system depressant mechanisms. The results support their ethnomedicinal use and suggest their potential as natural candidates for the development of safer therapies for insomnia.
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BibTeX
@article{ebele2026ethnobotanical,
title = {{Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Properties of Alchornea cordifolia ((Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg.) and Morinda lucida (Benth.) in the Treatment of Insomnia in Sprague - Dwaley Rats}},
author = {Nwajuaku Ebele and A. A. Adedotun and Mutiat Bolanle Ibrahim and Abosede Margaret Ebabhi and Oluwagbenga Adeogun and Temitope Oluwaseun Samuel},
journal = {Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.26538/tjnpr/v10i8.24},
url = {https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v10i8.24},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Properties of Alchornea cordifolia ((Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg.) and Morinda lucida (Benth.) in the Treatment of Insomnia in Sprague - Dwaley Rats
AU - Nwajuaku Ebele
AU - A. A. Adedotun
AU - Mutiat Bolanle Ibrahim
AU - Abosede Margaret Ebabhi
AU - Oluwagbenga Adeogun
AU - Temitope Oluwaseun Samuel
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/31
JO - Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research
DO - 10.26538/tjnpr/v10i8.24
UR - https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v10i8.24
AB - Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder associated with significant health and functional impairments. The adverse effects of conventional sedatives have stimulated interest in safer plant-derived alternatives. This study investigated the sedative effects of ethanol and fermented pap water (FPW) extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Morinda lucida leaves, traditionally used for insomnia management. Fresh leaves were air-dried, pulverised, and extracted using ethanol or FPW. Sedative activity was evaluated in rats using the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time test. Extracts were administered orally at 400 mg/kg either individually or in a 1:1 combination. Compared with the control group, extract-treated animals showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in rearing, line crossings, and centre crossings in the OFT, indicating decreased locomotor activity. The combination of M. lucida, FPW, and phenobarbitone group V and VII produced the most pronounced anxiolytic response, comparable to the reference drug. In the EPM, treated rats exhibited significantly fewer open-arm entries but spent longer durations in the open arms than controls, suggesting reduced anxiety-like behaviour. All extract-treated groups significantly potentiated phenobarbitone-induced sleep, with the greatest enhancement observed in the group V and VII group. These findings demonstrate that ethanol and FPW extracts of A. cordifolia and M. lucida possess sedative and anxiolytic activities, likely through central nervous system depressant mechanisms. The results support their ethnomedicinal use and suggest their potential as natural candidates for the development of safer therapies for insomnia.
SN - 2616-0684
SN - 2616-0692
ER -