Absence of anticonvulsant activity in Asparagus adscendens Roxb. hydroethanolic root extract against acute pentylenetetrazol and maximal electroshock-induced convulsion mice models

Abstract

Introduction: The use of Asparagus adscendens (family:Liliaceae) root powder has been reported traditionally for the treatment of epilepsy. But, it is yet to be validated pharmacologically. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the anticonvulsant effect of the roots in the experimental animal models of convulsions. Materials and Methods: The anticonvulsant effect of hydroethanolic root extract of A. adscendens (AAE) was studied at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; intraperitoneally (i.p.) in maximal electroshock (MES), and at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg; i.p. doses in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) test in mice. The duration of tonic hind limb extension (s) and latency to tonic-clonic convulsions (min) was noted in MES and PTZ tests, respectively. Phenytoin (25 mg/kg; i.p.) and diazepam (5 mg/kg; i.p.) served as reference standards in MES and PTZ tests, respectively. Percentage mortality was also noted. Results: The AAE treatment did not show any protective effect with regard to induction and duration of tonic hind limb extensor in MES test and latency to tonic-clonic convulsions in PTZ test, as compared to their respective controls. Conclusions: The results obtained from the experiments indicate that the AAE lacks anticonvulsant activity in MES- and PTZ-induced convulsion tests.