Evaluation of antiepileptic activity of chloroform extract of Acalypha fruticosa in mice.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antiepileptic activity of chloroform extract of aerial parts of Acalypha fruticosa in mice.

METHODS

The antiepileptic activity of chloroform extract of A. fruticosa at the doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o. was evaluated by maximum electroshock (MES), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and isoniazid (INH)-induced convulsions in mice. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test.

RESULTS

In MES method, the chloroform extract significantly protected the mice from convulsions induced by electroshock method in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited more activity at the dose of 300 mg/kg when compared with diazepam treated animals. In PTZ method, the extract inhibited convulsions in mice potent than phenobarbitone sodium. In INH method, it delayed the latency of convulsions in mice in a dose-dependent manner but failed to protect the mice against mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The chloroform extract exhibited significant and dose-dependent antiepileptic activity, which may be due to the presence of antioxidant principles like flavanoids.