Publication:

Anticonvulsant activity of Adhatoda vasica leaves by pentylenetetrazol model: preliminary evaluation in rats

Background Epilepsy is a disorder characterised by recurrent seizures of cerebral origin with episodes of sensory, motor phenomenon with or without loss of consciousness. The present study was taken up to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Adhatoda vasica in rats. Objectives of this study is to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves on Pentylenetetrazol induced seizures in albino rats and to compare the effect of aqueous extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves with standard dose of sodium valproate on Pentylenetetrazol induced seizures in albino rats.

Methods Anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Adhatoda vasica was analysed using PTZ (Pentylenetetrazol) model. Groups used were distilled water as control group, Sodium valproate as standard for Pentylenetetrazol and two doses of aqueous extract of Adhatoda vasica (100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) for this screening model. Parameters observed for PTZ models were abolition of clonic seizures and time duration between injection of PTZ and onset of seizures.

Results In PTZ model, test group at 200 mg/kg showed 33.33% protection for abolition of clonic seizures, though not comparable to standard group. There was significant increase in the duration of onset of clonic seizures after PTZ injection in both test groups (at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) when compared to control group.

Conclusions Aqueous extract of leaves of Adhatoda vasica has shown significant anticonvulsant action in PTZ model.