Anticonvulsant and neurotoxicity profile of the rhizome of Smilax china Linn. in mice

• Published in: Indian journal of pharmacology Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 27 - 30
• Main Authors: Vijayalakshmi, A, Ravichandiran, V, Anbu, J, Velraj, Malarkodi, Jayakumari, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society 01-01-2011; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Ayurvedic medicine; Care and treatment; Drug therapy; Epilepsy; Epilepsy, China root, Smilax china, neurotoxicity; Health aspects; Materia medica, Vegetable; Mice; Mortality; Natural products; Neurotoxic agents; Neurotoxicity; Physiological aspects; Plant extracts; Properties; Sarsaparilla; Seizures (Medicine); Stems (Botany); India; Smilax china; neurotoxicity; China root; Epilepsy
• ISSN: 0253-7613; 1998-3751
• DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.75662

Objective : To study the anticonvulsant activity and neurotoxicity of
ethanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of the rhizome of Smilax
china (EESC and EAF, respectively) in mice. Materials and Methods :
The anticonvulsant activities of EESC and EAF were studied against
maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced
seizures in mice and neurotoxicity was determined using rotarod test.
Results : The duration of hindleg extension in MES test was reduced
significantly (P < 0.001) by EESC at a dose level of 400 mg/kg and
EAF at both higher dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg). In PTZ model, the
seizure latency was prolonged by all the test groups. Conclusion : The
EESC and EAF may help to control petit mal and grand mal seizures.