The prevalence of epilepsy is particularly high in Latin America and in several African countries notably Liberia and Nigeria. Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) is claimed to be used ethnomedicinally in the management of convulsion, however there are no scientific report on this hence the aim of the study. Dried and powdered leaves of J. curcus (500 g) was extracted by decoction. Preliminary phytochemical screening was done using standard methods. Male mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 4). Group 1 (control) was given 0.2 mL each of normal saline orally while groups II, III, and IV received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the aqueous leaf extract of J. curcus and Group V received 30 mg/kg phenobarbitone orally. After one hour, mice were electroshocked (current at 50 mA) for 0.2 s through a pair of ear clip electrodes. In similar grouping and administration, same doses of extract and diazepam (3 mg/kg) as the positive control were used and pentylenetetrazol (70 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to induce convulsion. The onset of tonic leg extension and protection from mortality was noted. Doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) protected the mice against the maximal electroshock-induced convulsion while 400 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) protected the mice against pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure. The aqueous extract of the leaves of Jatropha curcas possesses some secondary metabolites that protected the mice against MES (all doses) and PTZ (400 mg/kg) induced convulsion hence may be useful in the management of epilepsy.
Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological disorders. Most antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs do not prevent or reverse the pathological process that underlies epilepsy, hence the continuous search for new therapeutic agents with minimal side effects and greater efficacy.Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the acute toxicity profile and investigate the anticonvulsant activity of volatile oil of Kochia scoparia (Amaranthaceae ).Method: Volatile oil was extracted from fresh leaves of K. scoparia through hydrodistillation process, using a Clavenger-type apparatus. Acute toxicity testing was done using Lorke’s method. The anticonvulsant models used were pentylenetetrazol, strychnine and maximal electroshock. Albino mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=5). Group I (control group) was given 0.2 ml each of water orally while groups II, III and IV received 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg of the volatile oil. Group V received the standard drug solution; 30 mg/kg phenobarbitone for Maximal electroshock and 2 mg/kg diazepam for pentylenetetrazol and strychnine models. The onset of tonic leg extension, duration and protection from mortality were noted.Results: Sub acute toxicity test revealed that doses above 1000mg/kg of the volatile oil is toxic. Doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg significantly (P<0.05) protected the mice against seizures with scores of 20, 20 and 40 % respectively in both Maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol induced convulsion models. No protection was offered in strychnine induced convulsion model; P > 0.05.Conclusion: The volatile oil of K. scoparia could be useful in the management of epilepsy.
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