ABSTRACT
Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. 30-40% of patients will continue to have seizures despite the use of antiepileptic drugs either alone or in combination. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of Acetazolamide (ACZ) in albino rats and its influence on anticonvulsant activity of sodium valproate.Methods: Albino rats (150-200gms) of male sex were randomly selected, from central animal facility, MMCRI, Mysore. They were divided into 6groups (per model) of 6 rats each, control group-normal saline 0.5ml, standard group-sodium valproate (300mg/kg), dose 1-ACZ (8.75mg/kg), dose 2-ACZ (17.5mg/kg) and dose 3-ACZ (35mg/kg), dose 4-ACZ (8.75mg/kg) with sodium valproate (150mg/kg). The anti-convulsant activity was screened using MES model and PTZ model.Results: Results were analysed by ANOVA followed by post hoc Fisher’s LSD test. The ACZ has shown anticonvulsant activity at the dose of 17.5mg/kg and 35mg/kg body weight and combination of ACZ 8.75mg/kg with sodium valproate 150mg/kg both in MES model and PTZ model. The anticonvulsant activity of ACZ was less when compared to Sodium Valproate in both MES model and PTZ model. The anticonvulsant activity of combination, ACZ 8.75mg/kg with Sodium valproate 150mg/kg was comparable and more significant when compared to standard drug alone in MES model and PTZ model.Conclusions: The ACZ has shown anticonvulsant activity in MES model and PTZ induced seizure model of epilepsy. This study has shown that ACZ potentiated the effect of sodium valproate and can be used as add on drug with sodium valproate in epilepsy.
ABSTRACT
Mikania scandens, a twining herb that grows as a weed in India and Bangladesh is used as vegetables and is a good source of vitamin A, C, B complex, mikanin, sesquiterpenes, betasitosterin, stigmasterol and friedelin. The present communication reports CNS depressant activities with special emphasis to brain biogenic amines in mice. Ethanol extract of leaves of M. scandens (EEMS) was prepared by Soxhalation and analyzed chemically. EEMS potentiated sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone, diazepam and meprobamate and showed significant reduction in the number of writhes and stretches. EEMS caused significant protection against pentylene tetrazole-induced convulsion and increased catecholamines and brain amino acids level significantly. Results showed that EEMS produced good CNS depressant effects in mice.