Abstract
Actiniopteris Dichotoma Bedd also known as mayurshikha is one of the oldest herbs in Indian traditional system and has been used as diarrhoea, dysentery, worm infestations, skin discoloration, skin diseases, diabetes and fever. The present study was carried out to investigate the possible anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Actiniopteris Dichotoma Bedd (EEAD and AEAD) by Maximal Electroshock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced Seizure tests in Swiss Albino mice. EEAD and AEAD given in a dose of 500mg/kg significantly (P < 0.01) reduced hind limb extension and tonic flexion of forelimbs when compared to control and EEAD and AEAD given in a dose of 250mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in MES induced seizure model. Ethanolic and aqueous extract of Actiniopteris dichotoma at dose of 500 mg/kg showed high significant (p < 0.01) protection against onset of clonic convulsions induced by PTZ. The 250 mg/kg ethanolic and aqueous extract of Actiniopteris dichotoma showed significance (p < 0.05). EEAD and AEAD treated groups showed good significant (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.05) inhibition of lipid peroxidation (decrease in MDA) compared to control group. The EEAD-250 mg/kg and the AEAD -250mg/kg and 500mg/kg showed significant increase (p < 0.05). But EEAD-500mg/kg showed very good significant increase (p < 0.001). These findings show that EEAD and AEAD at 500mg/kg high significantly effective as anticonvulsant and promising for development of standardized phytomedicine for the treatment of epilepsy.
