Antiepileptic Activity of the Whole Plant Extractof Melissa Officinalis in Swiss Albino Mice

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by unprovoked, recurring seizures that disrupt the nervous system and can cause mental and physical dysfunction. Based on the ethnopharmacological information of the plant, the methanol and aqueous extract of the whole plant of MELISSA OFFICINALIS was evaluated for its antiepileptic activity in Swiss Albino Mice .Antiepileptic activity was assessed by using MES and PTZ induced models (250 and 500 mg/kg). Body weight doses were used for the present study. In the MES model the methanol and aqueous extracts showed a dose dependent reduction in the duration of hind limb extensor phase. In pentylenetetrazole induced model methanol and aqueous extracts at dose level of 500mg/kg body weight showed significant reduction in the tonic convulsions induced by PTZ when compared with control group. The results suggest a possible anticonvulsant effect of the methanol and aqueous extracts of Melissa officinalis in Swiss Albino Mice. INTRODUCTION: Seizure is a characteristic feature in epilepsy and is associated with disordered and rhythmic high frequency discharge of impulses by a group of neurons in the brain . Around 0.5-1% of the world’s population is affected with epilepsy and 30,000 people develop epilepsy every year 2, . According to NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) about half of all the seizures have no known cause but may result from either brain damage or diseases. As per many researches, the cell membrane surrounding the neuron, which is crucial in generating electrical or nerve impulses, plays an important role in epilepsy . Now-a-days several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are available to treat epilepsy. By using these antiepileptic drugs, it may leads to many side effects like chronic toxicity, teratogenic effects . Plants may serve as the alternative sources for the development of new anticonvulsant agents due to their biological activities. Several plants used for the treatment of epilepsy in different system of traditional medicine have shown anti-epileptic activity when tested on animal models with less side effects . Therefore, it demands for the development of cheap, effective and safe antiepileptic agents from plants and other natural sources. During the course of this investigation Melissa officinalis, had been chosen for the present study.