Anticonvulsant activity of extracts of Plectranthus barbatus leaves in mice

Abstract

Plectranthus barbatus is a medicinal plant used to treat a wide range of disorders including seizure. However, the anticonvulsant activity of this plant has not been studied in depth. We therefore sought to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of P. barbatus leaves on seizures induced by strychnine sulphate (2.0mg/kg) and pilocarpine (600mg/kg) in mice. The extract was administered orally at 1, 10, 30, and 100mg/kg. We report that the P. barbatus extract had marked anticonvulsant activity against strychnine-induced convulsions, but was quite ineffective against pilocarpine-induced convulsions. Further experiments will be required to identify the active molecules(s) and their mechanism(s) of action. Copyright © 2012 Luciana Cristina Borges Fernandes et al.