title: Phytochemical investigation characterisation and anticonvulsant activity of Ricinus communis seeds in mice.
abstract: The ethanol extract of the dried, powdered hull portion of Ricinus communis seeds indicated the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides and phenolics, amongst others. Ricinine was isolated as an active constituent and characterised by various chemical and spectroscopic techniques. The anticonvulsant activity of the isolated compound was evaluated in mice using the maximal electroshock (MES) model. The isolated compound at a dose of 60 mg kg⁻¹ body weight, orally, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the extensor tonus phase of convulsion by MES-induced seizures in albino mice when compared with the standard drug diazepam (30 mg kg⁻¹ body weight, orally). The results of this study support the folkloric use of the plant in epileptic remedies.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern India Engineering College, Lucknow, UP, India.
authors.forename: Avinash Chandra
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Shailendra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Saraf
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D000431:Ethanol; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D006027:Glycosides / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012278:Ricinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013256:Steroids / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005419:Flavonoids; D006027:Glycosides; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013256:Steroids; D000431:Ethanol; D003975:Diazepam