Abstract

EVALUTION OF ANTICONVULSANT POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA IN MES INDUCED SEIZURE IN RATS

Rinky Rai* and Smita Acharya

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this study was to determine the anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Withania somnifera roots in albino rats. W. somnifera also known as ashwagandha has an effective natural origin that has a tremendous future for research as the novelty and applicability are still hidden. Ashwagandha is used traditionally as an antioxidant, aphrodisiac, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant, anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory agent, anti-cancer agent, astringent etc. The present study was therefore carried out to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of aqueous root extract of W. somnifera in rats. The anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of root of Withania somnifera (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) was assessed in rats using maximum electroshock seizure (MES) test. The extract of root significantly (p<0.01) reduced the hind limb tonic extension in the MES test in a dose dependent manner.

Keywords: Anti-convulsant, Withania somnifera, Rat, Traditional, Root, MES.