ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF EUPATORIUM BIRMANICUM DC. LEAVES ON SEIZURE INDUCED BY PTZ IN ALBINO MICE, ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH ETHOSUXIMIDE

Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Eupatorium birmanicum DC. leave (EB) alone and in combination with ethosuximide against seizure induced by PTZ in albino mice. Method: Aqueous extract of EB leaves was prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. The albino mice were fed with EB at 3 doses (200, 400 & 800 mg/kg). One hour after feeding, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) was given at a dose of 60 mg/kg, s.c. after dissolving in distilled water, at the nape of the neck at a volume of 5 ml/kg to produce convulsion. The animals were observed for upto 30 mins after the PTZ challenge for onset of myoclonic spasm and clonic convulsion. The time of onset of myoclonic spasm and clonic convulsion were noted in seconds. Sub-anticonvulsant dose of ethosuximide was also determined and the effect of its combination with the most effective dose of EB tested. Results: The aqueous extract of Eupatorium birmanicum at doses 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg significantly (p<0.001) increased the latency of onset of myoclonic spasm and clonic convulsion compared to the control. The combination of 800 mg/kg of the extract and the sub anticonvulsant dose of ethosuximide also significantly (p<0.001) increased the latency of onset of myoclonic spasm and clonic convulsion compared to the control. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of E. birmanicum leaves showed significant anticonvulsant activity in PTZ model in albino mice.