Joutnul of Ethnopharmacology , 18 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIH (1986) 103-107 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. 103 zyxwvutsr ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF THE VOLATILE OIL FROM THE FRUIT OF TETRAPLEURA TETRAPTERA JOHN I. NWAIWU and PETER A. AKAH Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Nigeria) (Accepted September 2, 1986) Summary The anticonvulsant effect of the volatile oil extracted from the fresh fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera was investigated in mice. The results ob- tained show that the fresh oil given intraperitoneally offers some protection against leptazol-induced convulsions. A dose of 0.4 ml of the oil per mouse protected 78% of the animals when administered 30 min prior to leptazol. While 0.6 ml offered no protection from death, the onset of convulsions and the average time of death was prolonged. Introduction Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn) Taub. (Fam. Minosaceae) is a perennial tree which grows along the West coast of Africa. The fully ripened fruit is elongated and dark reddish-brown in colour and has four arils. The two lateral arils are broader than the ventral and posterior arils. While the posterior arils of the ripened fruit are usually hard and dry, the lateral arils are relatively soft and contain a volatile oil with a strong sweet phenolic odour. The fruits, known as “Nzuosu”(I~~~ language) and“Aridan” (Yoruba language), are extensively used for many traditional remedies. In the Eastern states of Nigeria, the fruits are used to prepare a soup for mothers from the first day of delivery to about 3-5 weeks later. The main effect of the preparation is to prevent postpartum contractions. The two soft oil-containing lateral arils are the parts used to prepare these soups (Agwu, K.K. pers. commun). When roasted, the fruits produce an intensive odour which is claimed to drive away insects, snakes and evil spirits. It is also used as a mosquito repellant. In other parts of Nigeria, an infusion of the fruit is employed as a tonic and stimulant. In Ghana, the bark is used as a purgative while in Guinea and Senegal it is used as an emetic (Oliver-Bever, 1983). The fruits have other traditional uses which include the management of convul- sions and leprosy (Dalziel, 1948) and the management of inflammatory and 0378-8741/86/$02.10 01986 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Published and Printed in Ireland