Murali Krishna B

To evaluate the antiepileptic activity of Hydrocotyle asiatica linn (aqueous extract) in preventing maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions. To compare its efficacy with standard drugs- phenytoin for MES method and sodium valproate for PTZ method. 48 male albino mice weighing 18-30g are selected and divided into 2 groups of 24 mice each – one group for MES and other group for PTZ method. In MES method, seizures were induced via ear clip electrodes with a current of 50 mA for 0.2 seconds. Each mouse is pretreated with drugs (p.o.) one hour before MES test. The different groups include – Group C1 administered distilled water (0.25ml), Group S1 administered phenytoin (50 mg/kg), Group T1 administered aqueous extract of Hydrocotyle asiatica linn (100 mg/kg) and Group T2 administered aqueous extract of Hydrocotyle asiatica linn (300mg/kg). In PTZ method, seizures were induced by giving PTZ 80 mg/kg s.c. Each mouse is pretreated with drugs one hour before giving PTZ. The different groups include – Group C2 administered distilled water (0.25ml p.o.), Group S2 administered sodium valproate (300mg/kg i.p.), Group T3 administered aqueous extract of Hydrocotyle asiatica linn (100 mg/kg) and Group T4 administered aqueous extract of Hydrocotyle asiatica linn (300mg/kg). The aqueous extract of Hydrocotyle asiatica at a dose of 300mg/kg has shown statistically significant anticonvulsant activity against both MES and PTZ convulsions and its anticonvulsant activity is similar to that of standard sodium valproate (300mg/kg).