Anticonvulsant Studies on Leaf Extract of Erythrina Indica Lam

To determine the anticonvulsant activity of the leaf extract of Erythrina Indica in mice and rats, and in order to verify the traditional use of the plant in the treatment of epilepsy. The pentyleneterazole (PTZ) and the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) models were used for assessing the anticonvulsant effects of the chloroform leaf extract in mice and rats. The chloroform extract (500 mg/kg p.o) of that produced significant protection (71.4%) against PTZ-induced convulsion and onset of seizures compared with the control group in mice. At 500 mg/kg p.o., the extract also produced significant protection (71.4%) against MES-induced convulsions in mice. The results obtained from this study indicate that the chloroform leaf extract of Erythrina Indica may be beneficial in both absence and tonic clonic seizures. INTRODUCTION: Current available anticonvulsant drugs are able to efficiently control epileptic seizures in about 50% of the patients; another 25% may show improvement whereas the remainder does not benefit significantly . Furthermore, undesirable side effects of the drugs used clinically often render treatment difficult so that a demand for new types of anticonvulsants exists. One of the approaches to search for new antiepileptic drugs is the investigation of naturally-occurring compounds, which may belong to new structural classes. The plant Erythrina indica Lam. is a middle sized tree widely distributed throughout India. Traditionally its leaves are used as laxative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue and also used in the treatment of antihelmentic and joints pain . In siddha system, it is being considered useful for anticonvulsant activity . Since, no scientific proof about anticonvulsant activity in leaf extract of Erythrina indica Lam, an attempt has been made to explore such activity for Erythrina indica Lam. In the present work, vacuum dried chloroform extracts were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The fresh leaves of Erythrina indica Lam were collected from in and around Chennai and identified by Dr. Sasikala, Department of Pharmacognosy, Captain Srinivasamoorty Drug Research Institute of Ayurveda, Chennai. Preparation of the extract: The coarsely powdered leaves were extracted separately with chloroform by using Soxhlet apparatus. The solvents were removed under vacuum and a crude solid mass was dried and stored in desiccators for further studies. The preliminary phytochemical analysis 4 was under taken to detect the presence of major phytoconstituents in the extracts. Animals: Albino mice (20-25 g) and albino rats (60-80 g) of either sex were obtained from the animal house