Anticonvulsant activity of aqueous root extract of Ficus religiosa

Ethnopharmacological relevanceFicus religiosa Linn is frequently used for the treatment of nervous disorders among Pawara tribe of the Satpuda range, India.Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous aerial root extract of Ficus religiosa in chemoconvulsant-induced seizures in mice.Materials and methodsThe anticonvulsant activity of the extract (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was investigated in strychnine-, pentylenetetrazole-, picrotoxin- and isoniazid-induced seizures in mice. Rat ileum and fundus strip preparations were used to study the effect of the extract on acetylcholine (Ach)- and serotonin (5-HT)-induced contractions, respectively.ResultsThe extract showed no toxicity and protected the animals in the strychnine and pentylenetetrazole tests in a dose-dependent manner. Its effect in the picrotoxin and isoniazid tests, however, was less potent. The extract also exhibited dose-dependent potentiation of Ach in rat ileum but failed to potentiate the effect of 5-HT in rat fundus strip preparation.ConclusionsThe results suggest that an orally administered aqueous root extract of Ficus religiosa has dose-dependent and potent anticonvulsant activities against strychnine- and pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. The observed activities may be ascribed to the appreciable content of zinc and magnesium in the extract.

Orally administered aqueous root extract of Ficus religiosa had dose-dependent and potent anticonvulsant activity against strychnine and pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide