Publication:

A study of effect of acute and chronic administration of aqueous extract of Calotropis procera leaves on maximal electroshock induced seizures in rats

Background The effect of acute and chronic administration of aqueous extract of leaves of Calotropis procera on maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizures in rats was evaluated.

Methods Four groups of wistar rats were treated with distilled water 10 mL/kg (oral), phenytoin 25 mg/kg (intraperitoneal), 250mg/kg (oral) and 500mg/kg (oral) of aqueous extract of leaves of C procera, respectively in both acute and chronic studies. For producing maximal electroshock seizures, an electroconvulsiometer was used to deliver an electric stimulus of 150mA for 0.2 sec. The duration of hind limb extension (HLE) and seizures were noted in seconds (sec). In the acute study, the shock was given 1 h after administration of drugs. For the chronic study, all drugs were administered for 6 weeks. One hour after the last dose of drugs, the shock was administered. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results There was a significant decrease in the duration of hind limb extension, and convulsions as compared to control following acute (p<0.01 vs control) and chronic (p<0.05 vs control) administration of aqueous extract of leaves of Calotropis procera in rats.

Conclusions The study demonstrated that aqueous extract of C procera leaves resulted in significant protection against maximal electroshock induced seizures in rats.