Methanolic Extract of Bacopa Monniera Reduce Development of Tolerance to Antiepileptic Effect of Phenobarbitone in Mice

Objective: Side effects and development of tolerance to antiepileptic drugs necessitate identifying alterative and improved approaches to treat epilepsy. Bacopa monniera (BM), is a natural product which is used to treat epilepsy. We evaluated effect of co-administration of BM with phenobarbitone (PHB) to prevent development of tolerance to PHB. Methods: Male Swiss albino mice (25-30 gm-) were divided into six groups. Group 1 and 2 served as controls, which received vehicle and PHB (25 mg/kg, i. p.) respectively. In Group 3 maximal electric shock (MES) was induced two hs following administration of PHB (25 mg/kg, i. p.) at alternate day for 18 d. Hind limb tonic extension (HLTE) occurrence on two consecutive days was set as end point. In Group 4, 5 and 6 MES was induced 2 h following co-administration of PHB (25 mg/kg, i. p.) and BM (250, 500 or 750 mg/kg p. o. respectively). Mice behavior tests were performed at the end of the18thday, following which mice were sacrificed and brain was isolated for estimation of malonoldehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Results: 82.5% of mice from group 3 developed tolerance to antiepileptic effects of PHB. Co-administration of BM (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg) lead to development of PHB tolerance in 82.5%, 25% and 20% respectively. This beneficial effect of BM was associated with reduced MDA levels and increased GSH levels in brain, suggesting a role of antioxidant pathways in preventing development of tolerance to antiepileptic effects of PHB. Conclusion: Co-administration of BM prevented the development of tolerance to antiepileptic effects of PHB. Original Article METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BACOPA MONNIERA REDUCE DEVELOPMENT OF TOLERANCE TO ANTIEPILEPTIC EFFECT OF PHENOBARBITONE IN MICE VIJAYAKUMAR A. E.1, VINAY M.1, SEETHALAKSHMI1 1ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Chennai 600078 Email: [email protected]