Search

Aim of the Study: Delphinium nordhagenii belongs to family Ranunculaceae, it is widely found in tropical areas of Pakistan. Other species of Delphinium are reported as anticonvulsant and are traditionally used in the treatment of epilepsy. Delphinium nordhagenii is used by local healer in Pakistan but never used for scientific investigation as anticonvulsant. Thus, Delphinium nordhagenii was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and the most active fraction, i.e. DNS II acetone was chosen for further testing in the acute seizure models of epilepsy to study the antiepileptic potential in male mice., Materials and Methods: Different doses (60, 65 and 70mg/kg, i.p.) of DNS II acetone fraction of Delphinium nordhagenii was administered 30min prior the chemoconvulsant's injection in the male mice. Convulsive doses of chemoconvulsants (pentylenetetrazole 90mg/kg, s.c. and picrotoxin 3.15mg/kg, s.c.) were used. The mice were observed 45-90min for the presence of seizures. Moreover, four different doses of DNS II (60, 65, 70 and 100mg/kg, i.p.) were tested in the MES test., Results: The DNS II acetone fraction of Delphinium nordhagenii has exhibited the anticonvulsant actions by preventing the seizures against PTZ- and picrotoxin-induced seizure as well as 100% seizure protection in MES test. The results are comparable with standard AEDs (diazepam 7.5mg/kg, i.p. and phenytoin 20mg/kg, i.p.)., Conclusions: These findings suggest that the Delphinium nordhagenii possesses the anticonvulsant activity. Further analysis is needed to confirm the structure and target the extended activity profile., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ferula gummosa Boiss. (Apiaceae) which has been used as an antiepileptic remedy in Iranian traditional medicine was evaluated for anticonvulsant activity against experimental seizures. The seed acetone extract of F. gummosa protected mice against tonic convulsions induced by maximal electroshock (the median effective dose [ED(50)]=198.3 mg/kg) and especially by pentylenetetrazole (ED(50)=55 mg/kg). Neurotoxicity (sedation and motor impairment) of the extract was assessed by the rotarod test and the median toxic dose (TD(50)) value of 375.8 mg/kg was obtained. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of terpenoids and alkaloids in the extract. The acceptable acute toxicity of the extract recommends further studies to determine the mechanism(s) and compound(s) involved in the anticonvulsant activity.