Sedative and antiepileptic effects of Anthocephalus cadamba Roxb. in mice and rats

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sedative and antiepileptic activities of ethanolic extract of Anthocephalus cadamba (ACE) bark in various experimental animal models.

Materials and methods: ACE was tested at three doses viz. 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. We used ketamine-induced sleeping time model to test the sedative property of the extract where, onset and duration of sleep were observed. A paradigm of anticonvulsant models (pentylenetetrazole, isoniazid and maximal electroshock-induced seizures) were used to evaluate its protective effect against absence and generalized types of seizures. Onset of clonic convulsions, tonic extension and time of death were observed in PTZ and INH-induced seizure models. In MES model, duration of tonic hind leg extension and onset of stupor were observed.

Results: ACE showed significant increase in ketamine induced sleeping time. It also exhibited significant increase (P<0.05, 0.01 and 0.001) in latency to clonic convulsion, tonic extension and time of death in PTZ and INH models at all tested doses, whereas in the MES model, the lower dose was found to be effective when compared with the higher doses (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.).

Conclusion: The results of the present investigation demonstrated that ACE possesses sedative and antiepileptic activities.

Keywords: Anthocephalus cadamba; isoniazid; maximal electro shock; pentylenetetrazole; sedation; seizures.

Figure 1

Effect of Anthocephalus cadmaba ethanolic extract (ACE) on (A) latency and on (B) duration of sleep in ketamine-induced sleeping time. Each bar represent Mean ± SEM (n=6). *P<0.05; **P<0.01 compared to control group

Figure 2

Effect of Anthocephalus cadmaba ethanolic extract (ACE) on (A) latency to clonic convulsions and on (B) tonic extension and death in Pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. Each bar represent Mean ± SEM (n=6). *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001 compared to control group

Figure 3

Effect of Anthocephalus cadmaba ethanolic extract (ACE) on latency to clonic convulsions, tonic extension and death in Isoniazidinduced seizures. Each bar represent Mean ± SEM (n=6). *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001 compared to control group

Figure 4

Effect of Anthocephalus cadmaba ethanolic extract (ACE) on (A) duration of tonic extensor phase and on (B) onset of stupor in Maximal electro shock-induced seizures. Each bar represent Mean ± SEM (n=6). *P<0.05; ***P<0.001 compared to control group