ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF DATURA STRAMONIUM LEAVES IN ALBINO RATS.

Abstract

Datura stramonium is a well known plant for its different pharmacological properties such as antiasthmatic, antimicrobial, anticancer, hypnotic, narcotic and analgesic. In the present study we investigated the anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous extract of Datura stramonium (AEDS) leaves in albino rats. The anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of leaves of Datura stramonium (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) in rats was assessed using maximum electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizure models.The extract of Datura stramonium leaves significantly (p<0.01) reduced the hind limb tonic extension (HTLE) in the MES seizure model. In the PTZ model also, the extract signicantly (p<0.01) reduced the duration of clonic convulsions as well as delayed the onset of seizures in a dose dependent manner. Our study demonstrates anticonvulsant activity of Datura stramonium leaves in MES and PTZ induced seizure models.