Anticonvulsant profile of nardostachys jatamansi roots in albino rats

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. Despite the massive scale of the problem and much research, epilepsy remains poorly understood. Most of the currently used antiepileptic drugs have some neurotoxic effects, cognitive deficits and teratogenic effects, which decrease their clinical utility and up to 30% of patients are still refractory to treatment. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi root in albino rats. Methods: Albino rats (150-200 gms) of male sex were randomly selected, from central animal facility. They were divided into 5groups(per model) of 6 rats each, control group-propylene glycol 0.5 ml, standard group-sodium valproate (300 mg/kg), dose 1-ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots (100 mg/kg), dose 2-ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots (200 mg/kg) and dose 3-ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots (400 mg/kg). The anti-convulsant activity was screened using maximal electroshock seizure model and pentylenetetrazole model. Results were analysed by ANOVA followed by post hoc Fisher’s LSD test. Results: The ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots at the dose of 400 mg/kg has shown significant anticonvulsant activity in maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model. Whereas, in pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model, the ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots has shown significant anticonvulsant activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight. Conclusions: The anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots was less when compared to Sodium Valproate in Maximal Electro Shock model. Whereas, in Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model, anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots was comparable to sodium valproate.