ABSTRACT

Imperata cylindrica root extract is neuropreotective and is used by Luo people in Kenya and Uganda to manage epileptic fits  (personal communication); the herb controls seizures  in  parabss  flies  by  reducing  Na⁺  and  K⁺  channel  activity.  Brain anatomical changes, muscular activity as well as changes in learning and memory function that could arise in these flies from use of the herbas an anti-epileptic molecule during acute and chronic control of seizures were the objectives of our study. Learning and memory response was studied by an Aversive Phototaxic Suppression and brain histomorphological changes were analysed on brain tissues using Haematoxylin and  Eosin plus Klüvers staining techniques. Our results have further confirmed the promise of Imperata cylindrica as an anti-epileptic drug and  have  shown   that  not  only  treats  the  convulsions  but  ameliorates  associated electrophysiological and cognitive malfunctions. The extract also ameliorated the abnormal brain histomorphology after prolonged treatment. There was only relief of symptoms in acute exposure treatments unlike in chronic exposure treatments where the extract and sodium valproate cured the brain cellular biological defects.

Keywords: Imperata cylindrica, Brain tissue, Morphology, drosophilia Melanogaster transgenic flies and paralytic gene