Experimental Study of Anticonvulsive Effects of Euphorbia Pulcherrima in Mice

Background: Euphorbia pulcherrima belongs to the family: Euphorbiaceae and Genus: Euphorbia. Many species of Euphorbia have been reported as having beneficial properties like anticonvulsive effect. However, little study has been done and published on Euphorbia pulcherrima (Lalupate). In the present study we evaluated the anticonvulsant properties of Euphorbia pulcherrima by using various convulsive experimental models. Objective: To observe and evaluate anticonvulsive effects of Euphorbia pulcherrima in mice. Methods: Experiments were performed on adult albino mice (n = 100) weighing 20-30g. Maximal E l e c t r o s h o c k S e i z u r e t e s t m o d e l a n d Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model were used to assess the anticonvulsant effect of Euphorbia pulcherrima in mice and ratsafter oral administration of Euphorbia pulcherrima crude dried extracts in three different doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg). Results: EP crude extract reduce the duration of duration of tonic hind limb extension in Maximal Electroshock Seizure test model in mice treated with EP (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg).There was also an increase in the latency to convulsions with the use of EP in three different doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) in Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model. EP in all three doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) significantly increased the latency and decrease the incidence of convulsions induced by Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model. Conclusion: This study showed EP crude dried extracts to possess anticonvulsant properties in Maximal Electroshock Seizure test model and Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model. In the present study provides evidence supporting anticonvulsive properties of other related Euphorbia species.