Phytochemical and Antiepileptic Activity of the Ethanol Leaf Extracts of Culcasia falcifolia in Pentylenetetrazole Induced Seizure in Mice

Aim: To investigate the phytochemicals and the anticonvulsant activity of the ethanol leaf extract of Culcasia falcifolia used in the traditional medical treatment of epilepsy.

Methodology: The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard protocol while the anticonvulsant activity was studied using Pentylenetetrazole in mice.

Result: The preliminary phytochemical screening carried out on the ethanol extract of Culcasia falcifolia revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, and glycosides. In the anticonvulsant activity, there was a significant (*p< 0.05, **p<0.01) increase in the mean latency of tonic convulsion (243.72 ± 6.90*, 402.56 ± 5.52**) and significant (*p< 0.05, **p<0.01) decrease in the mean duration of tonic convulsion (192.62 ± 7.72*, 158.99 ± 8.66**) in a dose-dependent manner at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body wt. respectively. The extract at 400 mg/kg body wt. showed 100% protection against mortality.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the ethanol leaf extract of Culcasia falcifolia possesses anticonvulsant activity in PTZ induced seizure in mice. Therefore, the findings of the present study, suggests that ethanol extract of Culcasia falcifolia leaves has anticonvulsant activity against PTZ-induced seizures in mice by modulating GABA receptor-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission, reducing the T-type of Ca++ currents, activating GABAA receptors and facilitating the GABA-mediated opening of Chloride channel. Based on the folkloric claims, we infer that the decoction of the leaves of Culcasia falcifolia could be integrated into health care system for the management of epilepsy.

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