Evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Gomphrena serrata by using Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Epilepsy is characterised by abnormal behaviour which is leading to tonic flexon, tonic extension, clonus and stupor. Many novel therapeutic regimens were used to treat these disorders through different ways including altering neurotransmission, but so far there is no specific treatment approach which is satisfactory to the patients in terms of complete cure. Our approach is to make understand the herbal medicines usage towards epilepsy. The ethanolic plant extract of Gomphrena Serrata at 400mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 800mg/kg were given to albino mice which were treated with maximum electric shock of 30mA current and pentelene tetrazolium in two different techniques. The results with these extract doses showed significant results which indicated decrease in clonic extension and stupor. Whereas there is no decrease in the tonic flexon observed with all doses. All these results were compared with the standard drug Phenytoin at 25mg/kg I.P. However, the ethanolic plant extract of Gomphrena Serrata at 600mg/kg showed marked increase in the therapeutic activity which is equivalent to Phenytoin and can be compared. Apart from these the ethanolic plant extract of Gomphrena Serrata at 400mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 800mg/kg showed significant decrease in the recovery times when compared to control group.