Evaluation of antiepileptic activities of Ficus religiosa bark and Aegle marmelos leaves using Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is defined as the infrequent, unexpected, excessive, quick, and abnormal coordinated electrical depolarization in the gray matter of the central nervous system. The main objective of this study, involving Ficus religiosa and Aegle marmelos was to evaluate their antiepileptic activity. Materials and Methods: The plants were selected based on their ethnomedicinal values and literature reviews. Thirty-six Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups, each group comprised of six mice (25–30 g) were used for the experiment. Antiepileptic effect of ethanolic extract of F. religiosa (EEFR) at oral doses 200 and 400 mg/kg and cow urine extract of A. marmelos (CUEAM) at oral doses 200 and 400 mg/kg was studied using standard convulsive agent isoniazid (INH). The latency of the first epilepsy, duration of epilepsy, percentage mortality, and protection were observed after the administration of INH. Results: EEFR 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly delayed the onset of convulsion and reduced the duration of convulsion and showed the protection against convulsion. Similarly, CUEAM 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly delayed the latency of the first convulsion and significantly reduced the duration of action of convulsion. CUEAM 200 and 400 mg/kg showed 33.33% and 100% protection against INH-induced convulsion in mice, respectively. Discussion: Dose-dependent antiepileptic action of F. religiosa and A. marmelos. F. religiosa was found and the protection offered by A. marmelos may suggest the presence of compounds potentiating GABAergic action. Conclusion: It was concluded that F. religiosa and A. marmelos possess significant antiepileptic activity. Hence, it may be beneficial and an alternative in the treatment of epilepsy like disorders.