Title:Evaluation of Anti-epileptic Activity of Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob.
Leaves in the Experimental Pentylenetetrazole-induced Epileptic Model
Volume: 26
Issue: 1
Author(s): Kundan Singh Bora*Kanupriya Kumari
Affiliation:
- University Institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab-140413, India
Keywords:
Cyanthillium cinereum, antiepileptic, antioxidant, phenolic and flavonoid compounds.
Abstract:
Background: Epilepsy is a common and frequently devastating disorder affecting
millions of people. According to a recent survey, 1-2% of the Indian population suffers from
major mental disorders and 5% suffers from minor mental disorders. Epilepsy is among those
mental disorders that affect 30 million people worldwide. Currently, the treatment of epilepsy
involves agents which modulate sodium-ion channels, enhance GABAergic transmission, and
agents with multiple modes of action. Various classes of synthetic drugs are used to treat epilepsy,
but these drugs are often challenged due to their unwanted side effects. Medicinal plants
have been a part of human society which combating diseases from the dawn of civilization. The
plant Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob. is mainly found in the Himalayas from Kashmir to
Nepal at an altitude of 8000 m. Decoction of this plant is traditionally used as an anti-cancer,
anti-malarial, anti-epileptic, and in neurosis and skin diseases.
Objectives: The present study investigated the anti-epileptic activity of Cyanthillium cinereum
leaves against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epileptic model in mice.
Methods: Plant extracts were prepared using solvents in increasing polarity viz., petroleum
ether, chloroform, ethanol, and water, using a Soxhlet apparatus. The bio-active extract was
characterized using FTIR and GC techniques. In vivo antioxidants like GSH and SOD level, oxidative
stress markers- MDA and hemoglobin and platelet count were also estimated in the animal
brain.
Results: Amongst all extracts tested, only ethanol extract of Cyanthillium cinereum significantly
(p<0.05) inhibited generalized tonic-clonic seizures in PTZ-induced epilepsy in mice in a
dose (100 or 200 mg/kg., p.o.) dependent manner. The dose of 200 mg/kg of extract exhibited
the most significant effect. It is also found that treatment with ethanol extract on PTZ-induced
epilepsy in mice significantly (p<0.05) reduces the duration of convulsion and delays the onset
of clonic convulsion.
Conclusion: The present findings suggest that the high amounts of phenols and flavonoids in
the ethanol extract could be responsible for the anti-epileptic effect. Moreover, the ethanol extract
also restored GSH, SOD and hemoglobin and platelet level and decreased oxidative marker-
MDA content in the mice brain.
