Evaluating anticonvulsant activity of seeds extract of brassica juncea

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the preliminary phytochemical screening, and anticonvulsant effect of the seeds extract of Brassica Juncea (B.Juncea). Phytochemicals from the methanol seeds extract were screened by standard methods. The effect of the extract at dose levels of 200,300,400, and 500 mg/kg (p.o) was studied for its anticonvulsant effect on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- induced seizure in mice, using Diazepam as positive control (5 mg/kg, p.o). The latency and the frequency of convulsions, and the number of animals protected from convulsions were noted. At the end of the observations period, the animals were sacrificed and their brain were removed for histopathological examination. The phytochemical study showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, and phenolic compound in the seeds of B. Juncea. The extract significantly delayed the latency of convulsion (p ˂ 0.05) induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) at the dose of 500 mg/kg p.o. The extract also reduced the frequency of convulsion and provided up to 100 % protection (500 mg/kg p.o) against death. The data suggest that the methanol seeds extract of B. Juncea is safe and possesses anticonvulsant effects in PTZ-induced seizure in mice. Keywords: Brassica Juncea Methanol extract Phytochemical analysis Anticonvulsant activity Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) Histopathological examination