Epilepsy and anxiety disorders continue to pose substantial neurological problem, which
necessitate the search for safer and more efficacious treatment options. African edible mushrooms,
recognized for their therapeutic attributes, have demonstrated potential in influencing the central
nervous system, which has prompted inquiries into their sedative and anticonvulsant properties.
This study aimed to assess the sedative and anticonvulsant activities of the methanol extract of
Pleurotus ostreatus (POEXT) in mice. The acute toxicity of POEXT was assessed in accordance
with the OECD Guideline 423 for acute oral toxicity evaluation of chemical substances. The
sedative activity of POEXT was assessed using thiopental sodium (TS)-induced sleep model in
mice. The anti-convulsant activity was assessed using Strychnine and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-
induced seizure models in mice. The acute toxicity test revealed that POEXT is relatively safe at
a dose up to 3200 mg/kg, with no evidence of morbidity or mortality. POEXT was found to have
sedative and anticonvulsant activities. In the TS-induced sleep model, POEXT significantly (p<
0.001) reduced sleep latency in mice and prolonged the total sleep duration. POEXT exhibited
dose-dependent protection against Strychnine and PTZ-induced seizures in mice. Therefore, the
findings from this study provides the scientific basis for the traditional use of Pleurotus ostreatus
in the management of epilepsy, and also revealed POEXT as a potential source of bioactive
agent(s) for the management of epilepsy.