Evaluation of the Anticonvulsant Activity of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Crinum scillifolium Bulbs (Amaryllidaceae) in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Crinum species is frequently used for the treatment of nervous disorders such as epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the hydroethanolic extract of the Crinum scillifolium bulbs in chemoconvulsant-induced seizures in mice. The anticonvulsant activity of the extract (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg), was investigated in isoniazid (INH)-induced seizures in mice. The hydroethanolic extract protected mice from INH-induced seizures in a dose-dependent manner. 100% of protection was observed when the animals were treated with 200 and 400mg/kg of hydroethanolic extract of Crinum scillifolium. At Dose of 50 and 100mg/kg 83% protection was observed; the onset of convulsion significant was delayed, and no mortality was found of the mice against isoniazid-induced convulsion. Mice pretreated with hydroethanolic extract at the dose of 25mg/kg reduced mortality to 27% and significant delayed the onset of death (p<0.01). In conclusion, Crinum scillifolium was revealed possessing anticonvulsant effects in mice, via the GABAergic neurotransmission.