ANTI-EPILEPTIC ACTIVITY OF INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS – A REVIEW

In global debates, traditional herbal medicines are getting a lot of attention, especially in the treatment of Epilepsy. This deadly disease is estimated to affect around 50 million people around the world. This neurological disorder is believed to be due to excessive electric discharge in the brain and the release of neurotransmitter substances. Antiepileptic drugs are useful but are expensive and have limited supply. Above all, one has to compromise with low efficacy and bear adverse side effects too. This review provides numerous evidences which emphasize on the importance of over thirty herbal medicinal plants and their extracts in the treatment and prevention of epilepsy-related complications. These plants are Vitex negundo, Adansoniadigitata, Abutilon indicum, Allium cepa, Annona senegalenesis, Acormuscalamus, Aegle marmelos, Biophytum sensitivum, Butea monosperm, Canna indica, Datura metal, Cocos nucifera, Citrus colocynthis, Acalypha fruitcosa, Carissa edulis, Commiphora wightti, Clerodendrum infortunatum, Desmodium triflorum, Citrus sinesis, Lobelia nicotinaefolia, Viola tricolor, Leucascephalotes, Phyllanthusamarus, Plectranthusbarbatus, Ocimum sanctum, Nepetabractaeta, Nardostachys jatamansi, Mahua longifolia, Milicia excels, Catharanthus roseus. Reduction in increased Glutathione (GSH), Mylondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid peroxidation are some of the mechanisms of action of these medicinal plants observed in Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), Maximal electroshocks (MES), Isoniazid (INH), Strychnine, Lithium-pilocarpine induced epilepsy. Promising results are shown in animal models for these potential herbal remedies. Rigorous research methodology combined with clinical studies will definitely lead to significant advancement in the treatment of epilepsy using traditional herbal medicines.