Research Article
J.fundam.pharm.res. 2014,2(2):22-29
Evaluation of neuropharmacological activity of Fumaria officinalis Linn. by study of anticonvulsant activity on experimental animals Uday Raj Sharma 1*, Divakar Goli 2, Surendra V 1 1*
Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur-522 510 India Department of Biotechnology, Acharya & B M Reddy College of Pharmacy, Soladevanahalli, Hesaraghatta, Bangalore- 560 107, India. 2
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Abstract
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The present study was undertaken to evaluate anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Fumaria officinalis in experimental animal. The anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Fumaria officinalis (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) in mice was assessed by using maximum electroshock seizure (MES) test, Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), and Picrotoxin (PC) test. The ethanolic extract of Fumaria officinalis significantly reduced the duration of seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES). The ethanol extract in doses of 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg conferred protection on the animals. The same doses also protected animals from Pentylenetetrazol-induced tonic seizures and significantly delayed the onset of tonic seizures produced by Picrotoxin. The ethanolic extract of Fumaria officinalis (EEFO) possess anticonvulsant activity since it reduced the duration of seizures produced by maximal electroshock as well as delayed the latency of seizures produced by Pentylenetetrazol and Picrotoxin.
01/01/2015
Corresponding Author: Uday Raj Sharma, Asst. Professor., Deparment of Pharmacology, Soladevanahalli, Hesaraghatta Main Road, Chickbanavara Post Bangalore-560 090 Email:
[email protected] Mobile- +91-98862 37068
Key words: Anticonvulsant activity, Fumaria officinalis, Seizures, Maximal Electroshock,Pentylenetetrazol, Picrotoxin..
Introduction:
Epilepsy is the chronic disorder of the central nervous system manifested by recurrent unprovoked seizures. How to cite this article: Sharma UR. 2014. Evaluation of neuropharmacological activity of Fumaria officinalis Linn. by study of anticonvulsant activity on experimental animals. J. Fundam. Pharm. Res., 2(2),22-29 22
Research Article
J.fundam.pharm.res. 2014,2(2):22-29
Seizures are discrete; time limited alteration in brain function including changes in motor activity, autonomic function, consciousness, or sensation that results from an abnormal and excessive electrical discharge of a group of neurons within the brain.It has been shown to affect several brain activities and promote long-term changes in multiple neural systems. This disorder, if untreated, can lead to impaired intellectual function or death and is typically accompanied by psychopathological consequences such as lose of selfesteem [1, 2]. Many herbal remedies have been recommended in various medical treatises for the cure of different diseases. Epilepsy is a major neurological disorder and up to 5% of the world population develops epilepsy in their lifetime. The current therapy of epilepsy with modern antiepileptic drugs is associated with side effects, dose-related and chronic toxicity, as well as teratogenic effects, and approximately 30% of the patients continue to have seizures with current antiepileptic drugs therapy [3]. Traditional system is believed to be an important source of new chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects. Several plants used for the treatment of epilepsy in different systems of traditional medicine have shown activity when tested in modern bioassays for the detection of anticonvulsant activity and many such plants are yet to be scientifically investigated. Fumaria officinalis linn. (Fumaraciae) is one of the ingredients in a polyherbal formulation, that is known to promote physical and mental health and improve immune power of the organism so that the body can tolerate any nature of stress [4, 5]. One such plant, possessing anti convulsion activity is Fumaria officinalis Linn. aerial part of this plant has been used in India as anti convulsion. Hence in the present study we have selected this plant to scientifically evaluate anti convulsionactivity. It has been reported to possess laxative, diuretic, antispasmodic, chronic eczema and antileprotic, blood purification [6,7]. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate the anticonvulsant potential of the ethanolic extract of Fumaria officinalis (EEFO) in experimental animal models, with a view to providing a pharmacological justification (or otherwise) for the ethno medical use of the plants in the management of convulsions and epilepsy in some rural communities of India. Materials & Methods Plant Material: Arial parts of the plant of Fumaria officinalis were collected from the Nilgiri Hills,Tamil nadu. The plants were authenticated by Dr. Rajan, (Field Botanist, Central council for research in Homeopathy, Govt. of India, Ooty. The voucher specimen (Ref No: 05/P.colog/2007- 2008) of the plant material has been deposited in the Department of Pharmacology. The plants were dried in shade at 4 to 5 days at 25 ºC, reduced to fine powder to particle size no 40. Around 1kg of herb of Fumaria officinalis was subjected to continuous soxhlet extraction with Petroleum ether (50-60 °C) for 32 h. The same marc was successively extracted with Chloroform (60 - 70 °C) and Ethanol (72 - 82 °C) for 24 h. The extracts were concentrated on water bath (50 ºC). After concentrated preparation, the dried powder extract was stored at 4 °C. The yield of the petroleum extract, chloroform extract and ethanolic extract were found to be 4% (w/w), 2.6% (w/w) and 9.8% (w/w) respectively. Ethanolic extract were used for the experimental study.
How to cite this article: Sharma UR. 2014. Evaluation of neuropharmacological activity of Fumaria officinalis Linn. by study of anticonvulsant activity on experimental animals. J. Fundam. Pharm. Res., 2(2),22-29 23
Research Article
J.fundam.pharm.res. 2014,2(2):22-29
Animals: Wister Albino rats (150 - 200 g) and Albino mice (20 – 25g) of either sex procured from Bioneeds animal house, Dhavas pet, Tumkur, were used for the study. The animals were kept in polypropylene cages and maintained at a temperature of 26 ± 2 °C. They were fed with standard diet supplied by Pranav Agro Industries Ltd. Sangli. The study has got the approval (Ref: IAEC/PP/05/2007-2008) from the Institutional Animal Ethical Committee (IAEC). All the animal experiments are conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the CPCSEA (Reg No. 997/c/06/ CPCSEA) guide for care and use of laboratory animals. After procuring the animals were acclimatized for 10 days under standard husbandry conditions as: Relative humidity 45 55%, and 12 h light and dark cycle. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening: The preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out on the petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Fumaria officinalis for qualitative identification. Tests for common phytochemical were carried out by standard methods described in practical Pharmacognosy [10, 11]. Acute Toxicity Study: The albino mice of 20– 25 g body weight of either sex were selected to find out the acute toxicity study of ethanolic extract of Fumaria officinalis leaves. The dose of 5, 50, 300 and 2000 mg/kg were selected based on the fixed dose (OCED Guideline No. 420) method of CPCSEA. The extract was administered by intraperitonially. The animals were continuously observed for 24 h to detect changes in autonomic or behavioral responses. Mortality in each group was observed for 7 days [12]. Assessment of Anticonvulsant activity: Maximal Electrical Shock (MES) -induced seizures: The animals were divided in five groups (n = 6). Group I served as vehicle control group. Groups III, IV and V served as test groups treated with the extract 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., 60 min, prior to the induction of convulsion respectively and groups V served as reference standard group received phenytoin (25 mg/kg, i.p., 20 min), prior to the induction of convulsion. The number of animals protected from hind limb tonic extension seizure (HLTE) and the time spent in this position were determined for each dose group [13]. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) -induced seizures: The animals were divided in five groups (n = 6). Group I served as vehicle control group. Groups III, IV and V served as test groups treated with the extract 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., 60 min, prior to the induction of convulsion respectively and Group I received vehicle while other Group II received diazepam (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.) as a reference standard, prior to the induction of convulsion. The EEFO was administered in doses of (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) 60 min before the subcutaneous injection of PTZ (80 mg/kg). The animals were observed for onset of convulsion upto 30 min after PTZ. Hind limb extension was taken as tonic convulsion. The onset of tonic convulsion and the number of animals convulsing or not convulsing within the observation period were noted. The ability of the plant extract to prevent or delay the onset of the hind limb extension exhibited by the animals was taken as an indication of anticonvulsant activity [13, 14].
How to cite this article: Sharma UR. 2014. Evaluation of neuropharmacological activity of Fumaria officinalis Linn. by study of anticonvulsant activity on experimental animals. J. Fundam. Pharm. Res., 2(2),22-29 24
Research Article
J.fundam.pharm.res. 2014,2(2):22-29
Picrotoxin (PC) -induced seizures: The animals were divided in five groups (n = 6). Group I served as vehicle control group. Groups III, IV and V served as test groups treated with the extract 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., 60 min, prior to the induction of convulsion respectively and Group I received vehicle while other Group II received diazepam (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.) as a reference standard administered prior to the induction of convulsion.. The EEFO was administered in doses of (100, 200 & 500 mg/kg, p.o.) 60 min before the subcutaneous injection of picrotoxin (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The animals were observed for onset of convulsion upto 30 min after PC. Hind limb extension was taken as tonic convulsion. The onset of tonic convulsion and the number of animals convulsing or not convulsing within the observation period were noted. The ability of the plant extract to prevent or delay the onset of the hind limb extension exhibited by the animals was taken as an indication of anticonvulsant activity [12, 14]. Statistical analysis All the values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Statistical differences between means were determined by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test. p
