Evaluation of antiepileptic activity of the alcoholic extract of adhatoda vasica leaves in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate anticonvulsant effect of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Adhatoda vasica on electrically and chemically induced seizures along with that, acute toxicity study was also carried out as per the OECD guidelines. The ethanol extract of the leaves of Adhatoda vasica (100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) were studied for its anticonvulsant effect on maximal electroshock induced seizures and pentylenetetrazole induced seizures in rats. Ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica (100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES) as well as protected animals from pentylenetetrazole induced tonic seizures. The results suggest that the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Adhatoda vasica may produce its anticonvulsant effects via non-specific mechanisms since it reduced the duration of seizures produced by maximal electroshock as well as delayed the latency of seizures produced by pentylenetetrazole.