10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) is a leguminous plant which is traditionally being used for various health benefits including antisickling, immune booster, wound healing among others. It is rich in phytopeptide knottins which possess structural stability and biological activity that may influence neural functions. This study investigated the neuropharmacological effects of a phytopeptide knottins-rich extract from the seeds of Cajanus cajan in mice. Seventy-two mice of both sexes were randomly assigned to five (5) groups receiving distilled water (control), donepezil (standard), or the isolated phytopeptide knottins extract of C. cajan at 150, 300, or 450 mg/kg. Behavioural parameters, including locomotion, rearing, grooming, fecal boli, and urination; spontaneous alternation; and frequency and duration of time spent in either open or closed arms were assessed in mice using the Open Field test, Y-maze, and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test, with p < 0.05. The group administered 150 mg/kg extract exhibited significant locomotor activity, moderately high open-arm entries (37.10%), highest open-arm duration (31.06%) and a lower avoidance index comparable to the control and donepezil groups. The extract-treated groups showed anxiolytic-related behaviors such as reduced grooming and fecal boli production compared to the control. The 300 and 450 mg/kg showed relatively high frequencies of open-arm entries (37.78%) and (35.92%) respectively and duration of proportions (26.34%) and (28.64%) respectively suggesting a possible anxiolytic-like effect. Fecal boli were generally low across groups and did not markedly increase defecation, suggesting no strong anxiogenic effect while urination differences were significant in males but not females. These findings suggest potential central nervous system stimulatory and modulatory properties of the extract and support further mechanistic and neurochemical investigations. Phytopeptide knottins-rich extract from Cajanus cajan seeds demonstrated a restorative effect on locomotor and exploratory behavior while attenuating anxiety-related responses in mice.