Zehra Abdul Muhammad, Munira Abdul Muhammad.
Neuropharmacological assessment of sweet potato proteins in mice.
J Dow Uni Health Sci Jan ;3(3):132-8.

Objective : To assess the neuropharmacological effects of Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam tuberous proteins in male white albino mice. Subjects: 72 adult male mice of NMRIstrain (weighing 25-30 gms) were used. Animals were divided into 12 groups (6 in each group). Each group of animal was treated individually with saline water (5 ml/Kg, p.o.), proteins isolated from I. batatas (1.5 and 3.0 mg/Kg, p.o.), standard drugs Diazepam (5.0 mg/Kg, i.p.) and Morphine (5.0 mg/Kg, i.p.). Methodology: I) General behavior was assessed by a) Undisturbed observation (awareness, alertness, spontaneous activity). b) Response by least provoking stimuli (sound, touch, and pain). Pain nociception determined by small artery clamp at the base of tail & pain anti nociception by tail immersion test. II) Exploratory behavior was determined by Hole Board test. Statistical analysis : Statistical analysis of difference between groups was evaluated by One way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tuckey test for comparison between drugs (standard and test) and vehicle treated control groups. Results: The results revealed that the proteins isolated from I. batatas (1.5 and 3.0 mg/Kg, p.o.) caused no significant change in exploratory behavior (p > 0.05), but demonstrated decrease in spontaneous motor activity, pain response and touch response in general behavior profile. Conclusion: I. batatas tuber proteins have exerted CNS depressant and analgesic activities in the tested animal model.

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