Protective effect of methanol leaf extract of Sphaeranthus indicus L. on an experimental model of epilepsy

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of methanol extract of S. indicus L. leaves (SIME) on seizures using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) models in mice. The methanol extract was obtained by maceration process of 500g leaves with methanol at room temperature for 72 hours. In MES model, the prevention of hind limb extension was considered as a protective action. In the PTZ induced seizure model, the presence or absence of clonic convulsion was considered as the endpoint. The extraction obtained were evaluated for antioxidant activity using free radical scavenging activity. The extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg b.w, p.o, resulted significant (P <0.0001) antiepileptic activity by decreasing the duration of hind limb extension phase in MES model and delaying the onset of action in PTZ model with the control and other test groups. The SIME scavenged DPPH radical, by showing IC50= 25.68 µg/mL and exhibit significant result (P <0.0001) at a dose of 300 mg/kg. The biochemical evaluation of SLME showed a significant increase (300 mg/kg) in the amount of GABA level brain against PTZ induced seizures in mice. The methanol extract of S. indicus L. leaves has antiepileptic activity, which might be because of flavonoids.