Agueous Fruit Extract Of Cucumis metuliferus E Mey. Ex Naud (Cucurbitaceae) Alters Behavioural Activities In Chicks

Abstract

The changes in behavioural activities, as a result of the administration of graded doses (500- 1500 mg/kg,ip) of the aqueous fruit extract of Cucumis metuliferus were evaluated in 2-day old chicks. The results showed that the extract produced a biphasic alteration in the behavioural activities. A dose of 1000 mg/kg, ip produced a significant (P<0.05) increase in pecking activities and escape episodes. Low dose (500 mg/kg,ip) and high dose (1500 mg/kg,ip) produced an insignificant (P>0.05) alteration in pecking at self, food and non-food items, while there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in escape episode which was dose and time dependent. This work showed that Cucumis metuliferus produced dose-dependent increase in CNS activities.