Anticonvulsant Activity of Aqueous Root Extract of Annona Senegalensis Pers

Objective: Annona senegalenesis Pers is a sprawling shrub belonging to the family Annonaceae, and is mainly used in ethnomedicine. The use of decoction of A. senegalenesis is very prominent in the management of various conditions ranging from bacterial infection, worm infestation,  snake bites, pyrexia and febrile convulsion in folk medicine. Methods: The investigation on anticonvulsant activities of A. senegalenesis was undertaken using animal models with a view to elucidating its mechanism of action Results: Results revealed that the aqueous extract of the root of A. senegalenesis was safe at high doses (LD50 954.99±2.86 mg/kg body weight), protected drug–induced convulsion in mice, prevented electroshock in mice, being more effective against generalized than partial seizures and prolonging drug-induced sleep in mice. We conclude that the roots of A. senegalenesis have definite anticonvulsant activity and there is valid pharmacological basis for employing same for this purpose by the local people.