Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aqarqarha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) DC root has long been used as a traditional an-tiepileptic remedy in Unani system of medicine over centuries. Aim of the Study: To rationalize the ethnomedical claim and screen for anxiolytic and neurotoxicity profile of ethanolic extract of Aqarqarha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) root (APE). Materials and Methods: The anticonvulsant and anxiolytic potential of APE (100-800 mg/kg) was evaluated against Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), Bicuculline (BCL), Increasing current electroshock (ICES) and Elevated plus maze(EPM) models. Rotarod test was employed as neurotoxicity model including an additional higher dose (1600 mg/kg). Results: The APE showed significant anticonvulsant activity (p i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner but against BCL (30 mg/kg, i.p.) at the dose 800 mg/kg only (p 0.05). The extract also showed anxiolytic behaviour in EPM (p Conclusions: The results suggested significant anticonvulsant activity of APE against PTZ and BCL but failure against ICES. Moreover, APE also exhibited anxiolytic potential without any evidence of neurotoxicity at the effective dose level. We concluded that anticonvulsant effect of APE is probably mediated by enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission.
Highlights
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders with a prevalence of 5 to 8 cases per 1000 of population in developed countries, and with even higher rates in under-developed countries [1,2]
The HPTLC profile of the Aqarqarha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) ethanolic extract revealed the presence of six spots at Rf 0.10, 0.15, 0.27, 0.34, 0.65 and 0.92
There are a number of synthetic anticonvulsant drugs currently available for use in the management, control and/or treatment of individuals with epilepsy
Summary
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders with a prevalence of 5 to 8 cases per 1000 of population in developed countries, and with even higher rates in under-developed countries [1,2]. Available antiepileptic drugs are synthetic compounds and have dose-related and chronic toxicity, involving virtually every major organ system, adverse effects on cognition and behavior, reduced bone mineral density and teratogenic effects [3,4,5,6,7,8]. The very high costs of the new antiepileptic drugs have a major impact on the overall cost of epilepsy therapy in both developed and underdeveloped countries [9]. The root of Aqarqarha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) DC, popularly known as “Aqarqarha” in the Unani system of medicine, is reported to be used by the Unani physicians to manage, control and treat epilepsy [10,11]. It has been found to possess immunostimulating [13] and aphrodisiac [14] action in various rodent
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