title: 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 (2.0 mg/kg) and pilocarpine (600 mg/kg) in mice. The extract was administered orally at 1, 10, 30, and 100 mg/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.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Animais, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), BR 110 Km 47, 59625-900 Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Cristina
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Borges Fernandes
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campos Câmara
authors.forename: Benito
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Soto-Blanco