Abstract

ANTIEPILEPTIC ACTIVITY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SOLANACEAE FAMILY-A REVIEW

Jeenu Joseph*, Lincy Joseph and Mathew George

Abstract

The Solanaceae family consists of about 98 genera and 2,700 species with a great diversity of habitats and morphology. This family is known for having a diverse range of alkaloids. To humans, these alkaloids can be desirable, toxic, or both. The many species contain a variety of alkaloids that can be more or less active or poisonous, such as scopolamine, atropine, nicotine and hyoscyamine. Herbal preparations are used in the management of various forms of epilepsy is very common in many parts of the world. They have been scientifically shown to possess promising anticonvulsant activities in animal models. Present review covers some important alkaoids like tropanes, solanine and solasodine present in the family. Also an attempt was taken to compile the Anti-epileptic activity of some important medicinal plants of the Solanaceae family that have antiepileptic activity like Solanum nigrum, Solanum pubescens, Hyoscyamus niger and Withania somnifera.

Keywords: Epilepsy, Solanaceae, Solanum nigrum, Solanum pubescens, Hyoscyamus niger, Withania somnifera.