Evaluation of Anticonvulsant Activity of Semecarpus Anacardium (linn.) Nut Extract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the locomotor effect of chloroform extract of Semecarpus anacardium (Linn.) (CHSA) by using photoactometer. Its anticonvulsant property was tested against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced convulsion (MESIC), pentalenetetrazol (PTZ)induced convulsion (PTZIC), strychnine-induced convulsion (SIC), picrotoxininduced convulsion (PIC), isoniazid (INH)-induced convulsion (IIC) and 4amino pyridine (4-AP)-induced convulsion (4-APIC) in mice. The gammaamino butyric acid (GABA) level was estimated by spectroscopic method. Significant reduction in locomotor scores were recorded with a diazepam (5 mg/kg) but not with CHSA (100, 200 & 400 mg/kg). In MESIC a phenytoin (25 mg/kg) was possessed anticonvulsant activity by decreased duration of tonic extension phase of the animals but not with CHSA. In PTZIC, SIC PIC, IIC and 4-APMIC models, a diazepam exhibited anticonvulsant effect, the CHSA was ineffective among all those paradigms. Increased GABA level in the mice serum was observed with a gabapentin (20 mg/kg) treated group, in CHSA such effect was not observed. Hence it concluded that Semecarpus anacardium (Linn.) not possesses sedative and anticonvulsant properties. INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects a wide range of people throughout the world. It is a disorder of brain characterize by unpredictable and periodic occurrence of a transient alteration of behaviour due to the disordered, synchronous and rhythmic firing of populations of brain neurons . It has been observed that the presently available antiepileptic drugs are unable to control seizures effectively in as many as 25% of the patients 2, . The conventional antiepileptic agents like phenytoin, carbamazeipine and sodium valporate carry with them several serious side effects notably neurotoxicity . As majority of antiepileptic drugs are consumed life long, concomitant administration of other drugs predisposes to the risk of drug interaction. However, newer antiepileptics like gabapentin, vigabatrin, lamotrigine etc are used supplemental to the conventional agents . Thus, it is necessary to investigate for an antiepileptic agent that is highly efficacious as well as safe in items of drug related toxicity. The aim of treating an epileptic is not only to abolish the occurrence of seizures but also to lead a self sustained life. In the present study, we selected a plant namely Semecarpus anacardium (Linn.) belonging to the family of Anacardiaceae. It is distributed in the sub-Himalayan tract from the Bias eastwards, ascending in the outer hills up to 3,500 ft., Assam, Khasia hills, Chittagong, Correspondence to Author: