EFFECTS OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DIOSCOREA BULBIFERA BULB ON NEUROBEHAVIOURAL PARAMETERS (LEARNING AND MEMORY) IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF THE BRAIN OF MALE WISTAR RATS

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of ethanolic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera bulb on neurobehavioural parameters (learning and memory) in the hippocampus of the brain of male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into four (4) groups, designated A, B, C and D. They contained 8 rats each. GROUP A: (Control): - The control rats had access to food and water only and was given no extract. GROUP B: (Low dose): - Male Wister rats were given a low dosage of 150mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera twice a day. GROUP C: (Medium dose): - The male Wister rats were given a medium dosage of 300mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera twice a day. GROUP D: (High dose): - Male Wister rats were given a high dosage of 600mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera twice a day. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. ANOVA of variance test was conducted followed by post Hoc LSD comparison and values were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. The result showed a significant increase in the number of entries in open arm in group D ( p=0.019) compared to A. The time spent in open arms showed a statistically significant increase in group D ( p=0.026) compared to A. The time spent in closed arm showed a statistically significant decrease in groups C, and D (p=0.001, p=0.001) compared to group A, but group B showed no significance (p=0.341). The result showed a non-significant decrease in the no. of trials in groups B, C, and D (p=0.113, p=1.000, p=0.259) compared to group A. The latency period revealed a significant decrease in groups B, C, and D (p=0.039, p=0.033, p=0.020) compared to group A. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that ethanolic extract of Dioscorea bulbifera possesses anxiolytic-like activity in Wistar rats, with the most pronounced effect observed at the high dose.