[ANTISEIZURE ACTIVITY OF C EPHALARIA GIGANTEA ROOT EXTRACT]

Antiseizure activity of Cephalaria gigantea root extract was studied using PTZ- and/or audiogenic seizure models in outbred Wistar and inbred Krouchinsky- Molodkina rats respectively. In PTZ - model onset of tonic- clonic seizures, latencies to the beginning of the seizure activity, and mortality, and similarly in audiogenic seizures behavioral convulsive reactions , facial automatisms and latency to wild running were evaluated. The extract is used traditionally in Georgian folk medicine as anticonvulsant drug. In this study it was evidenced experimentally that extract demonstrates anticonvulsant properties as in both model, as in both routs of administration - peroral and intraperitoneal. Extract appeared most effective in case of preliminary repetitive administration: in PTZ model seizures were eliminated in 9 of 10 animals, and in audiogenic model convulsive response was no more observable during 7 days of treatment termination. It was found also that sedative properties are characteristic of this antiseizure extract according to the sleeping prolongation in barbiturate treated mice. Safety of the extract was evaluated in toxicological acute and chronic experiments, and consequently it is considered a substance of moderate general toxicity.