Publication:

Preclinical evaluation of methanolic extract of Malus domestica peel on epilepsy in Swiss Albino mice using maximal electroshock test

Background Animal models for epilepsy have been used extensively to study the nature of seizures and epilepsy and to develop new therapies for epilepsy. In the present study, an effort has been made to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of methanolic extract of Malus domestica peel (MEMDP) on epilepsy using maximal electroshock (MES) test in Swiss Albino mice.

Methods The current study was prospective and single-center. Standard drugs: Phenytoin sodium 50 mg/kg orally (for MES test). Model used: MES. All drugs were administered orally to all 5 groups 45 minutes prior to experimentation with MES. Swiss Albino mice were weighed and marked, and then they were split into five groups of six at random (3 males and 3 females were included in each group).

Results The MES test was performed on Swiss albino mice after grouping the animals. Six animals per group were used. Normal saline was used as a neutral control, and phenytoin sodium was used as positive controls. Doses of MEMDP used were 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg. MEMDP showed anticonvulsant activity with maximum activity at 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg body weight. The anticonvulsant activity of acute administration of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg doses of MEMDP was comparable with phenytoin sodium at 50 mg/kg body weight (in the MES test).

Conclusions The result of the present study indicates that MEMDP upon acute administration has significant anticonvulsant-like activity, which is comparable to phenytoin sodium.