TY - JOUR
T1 - An experimental evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of Asparagus Racemosus
AU - Amberkar, M. V.
AU - Christopher, Rockson
AU - Chandrashekar, B. R.
AU - Pradeepa, H. D.
AU - Meena Kumari, K.
PY - 2011/11/1
Y1 - 2011/11/1
N2 - Maximal electroshock seizures (MES) in Wistar albino rats and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in albino mice were used to study anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus (EEAR). The EEAR was administered orally in graded doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in both the experimental models and the effects were compared with vehicle and standard drugs treated group (phenytoin sodium and valproic acid in MES and PTZ induced seizures respectively). Oral administration of two doses of EEAR 200 and 400 mg/kg, did show anticonvulsant activity by abolishing the extensor phase and animal protection in 33.34% and 66.67% of rats respectively to significant extent against maximal electroshock seizures (MES) and also it prolonged post-ictal depression significantly (P<0.05) in a dose of 400 mg/kg in comparison to control, but not comparable to the standard phenytoin. The plant extract in the dose 400 mg/kg, showed 66.67% protection against clonic convulsions and 24h mortality which was statistically significant (P<0.05) against control in PTZ model. It also decreased number of clonic convulsions and duration of clonic phase which was statistically (P<0.01) significant in the above mentioned dose in comparison to control. However, the standard drug valproic acid provided 83.33% protection against PTZ induced convulsions which was statistically significant (P<0.001) against control. It also provided statistically significant (P<0.01) protection against 24h mortality in 83.34% animals as well as decreased number and duration of convulsions in comparison to control significantly (P<0.001). The anticonvulsant activity of EEAR has not been found equi-effective or comparable with standard drugs in both models. These findings suggest that EEAR possesses anticonvulsant activity against both MES and PTZ induced convulsions. Further research is required to isolate the active principles and mechanisms involved in the anticonvulsant activity of this plant.
AB - Maximal electroshock seizures (MES) in Wistar albino rats and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in albino mice were used to study anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus (EEAR). The EEAR was administered orally in graded doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in both the experimental models and the effects were compared with vehicle and standard drugs treated group (phenytoin sodium and valproic acid in MES and PTZ induced seizures respectively). Oral administration of two doses of EEAR 200 and 400 mg/kg, did show anticonvulsant activity by abolishing the extensor phase and animal protection in 33.34% and 66.67% of rats respectively to significant extent against maximal electroshock seizures (MES) and also it prolonged post-ictal depression significantly (P<0.05) in a dose of 400 mg/kg in comparison to control, but not comparable to the standard phenytoin. The plant extract in the dose 400 mg/kg, showed 66.67% protection against clonic convulsions and 24h mortality which was statistically significant (P<0.05) against control in PTZ model. It also decreased number of clonic convulsions and duration of clonic phase which was statistically (P<0.01) significant in the above mentioned dose in comparison to control. However, the standard drug valproic acid provided 83.33% protection against PTZ induced convulsions which was statistically significant (P<0.001) against control. It also provided statistically significant (P<0.01) protection against 24h mortality in 83.34% animals as well as decreased number and duration of convulsions in comparison to control significantly (P<0.001). The anticonvulsant activity of EEAR has not been found equi-effective or comparable with standard drugs in both models. These findings suggest that EEAR possesses anticonvulsant activity against both MES and PTZ induced convulsions. Further research is required to isolate the active principles and mechanisms involved in the anticonvulsant activity of this plant.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:80355147762
SN - 0976-044X
VL - 11
SP - 64
EP - 68
JO - International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
JF - International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research
IS - 1
ER -