Pharmacological evidence for the anticonvulsant activity of Tylophora indica in experimental animal models

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. The antiepileptic drugs currently used are unable to manage seizures effectively and are associated with numerous adverse drug effects. Hence, there is a necessity of a newer anticonvulsant drug with high therapeutic index profile. The objective of this pre-clinical research was to investigate the role of Tylophora indica on Maximal electric shock [MES] and Pentylene tetrazole [PTZ] provoked convulsions in Wistar albino rats.Methods: 36 Wistar albino rats were used for this study, after obtaining ethical clearance. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Tylophora indica [TIEE] (100 mg/kg, p.o) was used to screen the anticonvulsant effect on MES and PTZ provoked convulsions in Wistar albino rats. In MES seizures, inhibition of the tonic hind limb extension and in PTZ seizures, extent of convulsions was noted.Results: TIEE (100 mg/kg, p.o) significantly (p<0.001) blocked the hind limb extension due to MES. The same dose also significantly (p<0.001) lessened the extent of convulsions induced by PTZ.Conclusions: The data suggests that the ethanolic extract of Tylophora indica leaves produce its anticonvulsant effect via different mechanisms since it prevented the hind limb extension induced by MES and decreased the duration of convulsions produced by PTZ