Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DIMOCARPUS LONGAN LOUR SEEDS IN MICE

Chaturvedi Sonam*, Patel Vijay and Mukherjee Jayanti

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Abstract

 Background: Epilepsy affects 1% of world population. Epilepsy has been well controlled with the currently available anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). But most of the anti-epileptic agents have their own limitations like neurotoxicity and teratogenic effects. Hence there is continuous need for more effective newer AEDs.  Objective :- 1. To evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of Dimocarpus longan lour seeds ethanolic extract in preventing maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions. 2. To compare its efficacy with standard drugs- phenytoin for MES and PTZ method.  Methods:-48 male albino mice weighing 18-30g are selected and divided into 2 groups of 24 mice each – one group for MES and other group for PTZ method. In MES method, seizures were induced via ear clip electrodes with a current of 50 mA for 0.2 seconds. Each mouse is pretreated with drugs (p.o.) one hour before MES test. The different groups include – Group C1 administered saline solution (10ml/kg), Group S1 administered phenytoin (25mg/kgI.P.), Group T1 administered ethanolic extract of Dimocarpus longan lour seeds (200 mg/kg), Group T2 administered ethanolic extract of Dimocarpus longan lour seeds (400mg/kg). In PTZ method, seizures were induced by giving PTZ 80 mg/kg SC. Each mouse is pretreated with drugs one hour before giving PTZ. The different groups include – Group C2 administered saline solution (10mg/ kg), Group S2 administered phenytoin (25mg/kg I.P.), Group T3 administered ethanolic extract of Dimocarpus longan lour seeds (200mg/kg), Group T4 administered ethanolic extract of Dimocarpus longan lour seeds (400mg/kg).  Statistical analysis:-Statistical analysis was done by Student on ANOVA (Dunnett's„t‟ test).  Results:- The ethanolic extract of Dimocarpus longan lour seeds at a dose of 400mg/kg has shown statistically significant anticonvulsant activity against both MES and PTZ convulsions and its anticonvulsant activity is similar to that of standard phenytoin (400mg/kg).  Conclusion:- Our study demonstrates the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Dimocarpus longan lour seed in mice. This plant can be a therapeutic potential to treat epilepsy in addition to conventional anticonvulsant drugs.

Keywords: Dimocarpus longan lour seeds, anticonvulsant, Pentylenetetrazole and Maximal Electroshock model.