Methodological approaches to the search of new herbal anticonvulsants

Abstract

Aim. Development of the most appropriate algorithm for the search and selection of herbs showing anticonvulsant properties, as well as to interpret the level of anticonvulsant activity of different groups of herbal substances using PASS tool.Methods. Literature analysis and PASS software were used for development of a clear algorithm for finding the most suitable herbs having anticonvulsant activity.Results. The most rational decision in case of development of the algorithms for the targeted search of herbs for epilepsy treatment is to divide herbal objects according to their chemical composition and mechanism of action. It was found that certain groups of biologically active compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids) and some members of the Betulaceae, Papaveraceae, Solanaceae, Fumariaceae, Lamiaceae, Polemoniaceae, Viscaceae, and Oleaceae families have anticonvulsant activity. PASS analysis resulted that antiepileptic activity is inherent, but not significant for most of the studied compounds. Particular expectations caused the analysis of the results of alkaloids protopine and sanguinarine due to their high indexes of activity – 0.813 and 0.820 %, respectively.Conclusion. The algorithm for selection of the most promising herbs for the further detailed phytochemical and pharmacological studies concerning possibilities of their use for treatment of epilepsy was substantiated. PASS prediction analysis for different groups of herbal substances was carried out. As expected, according to the PASS prediction results, antiepileptic activity is inherent, but not significant for most of the studied compounds. The analyzed compounds have the likelihood of manifestation of antiepileptic activity: the indexes of activity of the analyzed substances are in range from 0.430 to 0.754 %. Several biologically active compounds may have neuroprotector activity; the highest indexes were obtained for histidine (0.680 %) and alanine (0.718 %). Amino acids asparagine and serine have shown probable presence of cognition activator activity (0.489 % and 0.554 %, respectively)