ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF MAHAKALAYANAKA GHRITA IN MAXIMAL ELECTRO-SHOCK AND PENTYLENETETRAZOLE INDUCED SEIZURES IN RATS

Abstract

The present study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of Maha Kalayanaka Ghrita on maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in rats. The ayurvedic formulation, Maha Kalayanaka Ghrita (MKG) was subjected to acute toxicity and then screened anticonvulsant activity on MES and PTZ induced seizure models. In addition the brain neurotransmitters levels were estimated. Acute toxicity of test drug was non-toxic upto the recommended dose 2000mg/kg p.o. Animals were pretreated with MKG at doses 200 & 400 mg/kg for 14 days. Study results showed reduction of extensor phase of MES induced convulsion and prolongation of onset and reduction of duration of convulsion in PTZ model. Furthermore, MKG had reduced the level of excitatory neurotransmitters noradrenaline, glutamate and serotonin and increased the level of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as Gamma-aminobutyric acid and dopamine as compared to untreated rats. Hence it concluded that MKG possesses anticonvulsant activity and potential effect on neurotransmitters levels in the brain.