Anticonvulsant activity and acute neurotoxic profile of Achyranthes aspera Linn.
BACKGROUND
Root powder of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (A. aspera) belongs to family Amaranthaceae is used in Indian traditional medicine for the management of epilepsy and its efficacy is widely acclaimed among the different rural communities.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was aimed to establish the possible anticonvulsant effect of A. aspera methanolic root extract using acute anticonvulsant models and to evaluate the acute toxicity and neurotoxic potential A. aspera extract.


METHODS
A. aspera methanolic extract was standardized with respect to betaine using HPTLC. The maximal electroshock (MES), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), picrotoxin and bicuculline induced seizure models were used to evaluate the anticonvulsant potential of standardized A. aspera root extract. The GABA content in cortex and hippocampus of extract treated mice was evaluated using HPLC. Moreover, the animals were also evaluated for acute toxicity study and neurotoxicity test.


RESULTS
A significant enhancement in the seizure threshold was observed by A. aspera extract (5 and 10mg/kg) treated mice in PTZ, picrotoxin and bicuculline models as compared to saline treated mice respectively, whereas the extract failed to show protection in MES induced seizures. Moreover, A. aspera treatment (5 and 10mg/kg) significantly enhances the GABA levels in hippocampus and cortex as compared to saline treated group. A. aspera root extract was devoid of any sign of acute toxicity as well as neurotoxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
A. aspera root extract exhibits significant anticonvulsant effect by facilitation of GABAergic neurotransmission in the brain.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India.
Dinesh Y
DY
Gawande
Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str., 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia.
Dmitry
D
Druzhilovsky
Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India.
Raghbir Chand
RC
Gupta
Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str., 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia.
Vladimir
V
Poroikov
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India. Electronic address: goelrkpup@gmail.com.
Rajesh Kumar
RK
Goel
D029044:Achyranthes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004597:Electroshock; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D011208:Powders; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009498:Neurotoxins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011208:Powders; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Achyranthes aspera Linn.; Anticonvulsant; HPLC; Neurotoxicity; γ-aminobutyric acid