Protective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Lagenaria Siceraria (Molina) Against Maximal Electroshock (MES) -Induced...

Background The Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) belongs to family Cucurbitaceae, commonly known as bottle guard or calabash in English. All the parts of plant like root, fruit, leaves and flower has been evaluated for its various activities like antioxidant, antihelmintic, cognitive enhancer, anticancer, antianxiety, antidepressant, antihyperlipidemic, fibrinolytic cardio protective and hepatoprotective. Even though it is claimed to have antiepileptic action, no documentation is available. Objective To assess the anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria by Maximal Electroshock seizure induced seizure models on Albino rats. Method Albino rats were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of five rats. One group was used as control (normal saline 10 ml/kg), one as standard (phenytoin), and three groups for the test drug (aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria (AELS) in the doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) treatment. In MES model, Maximal electrical shock of 150 mA was passed for 0.2 seconds through corneal electrodes after 30 minutes of giving the drugs and normal saline. Different stages of convulsions were noted down along with time spent by the animal in each phase of convulsions. Data were statistically analyzed by One way ANOVA followed by multiple Dunnett's test. Result The mean reduction in hind limb extension phase was 8.2±2.10 after 400 mg/kg of AELS which is highly significant (p<0.001) like phenytoin. AELS at 800 mg/kg exhibited a significant 17±2.64 (p<0.05) protection against tonic extensor phase. Conclusion Aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria has anticonvulsant activity.