Docking studies and pharmacological evaluation of antiepileptic activity of phytoconstituents

Assessment of in vivo antiepileptic potential and phytochemical analysis of Cassia absus seed extracts

Cassia absus, a member of Fabaceae family, has been a part of traditional medicine for various ailments such as Hypertension, Diabetes, and Cancer. This family of plants has been utilized for Anticonvulsant and Anxiolytic effects. The ongoing investigation is aimed to seek the antiepileptic potential of C. absus seed extracts in pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling mice. The seeds of C. absus were subjected to a sequential extraction process for the preparation of n-hexane, chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts. The PTZ-induced kindling model was employed to assess the antiepileptic activity of each extract. Seizure activity and antioxidant biomarkers in the brain tissue such as levels of CAT, SOD, tGSH, and MDA were assessed. Mechanism of action was elucidated by Flumazenil. Through GC-MS analysis, the phytochemical components in the chloroform extract of C. absus were evaluated. The outcomes showed that C. absus extracts markedly reduced the seizure activity in kindling mice. The extracts exhibited significant Antioxidant properties by enhancing the levels of antioxidant biomarkers in the brain tissue such as CAT, SOD, and tGSH, and decreasing the MDA level. The results demonstrated that C. absus extracts showed antiepileptic effects may be via GABA pathway. According to the results of this investigation, C. absus has significant antiepileptic potential in PTZ-induced kindling mice via GABA pathway modulation and combating reactive oxygen species.

Neuroprotective Effect of Coumarin Nasal Formulation: Kindling Model Assessment of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by sudden recurrent seizures. Considering the fact that epileptogenesis is a process that affects the quality of life, our goal is to delay the process of epileptogenesis and to increase the latency of epileptic attacks, offering better quality of life to patients. Traditional system of medicines has a promise in some of the medicines, which have been used for the treatment of epilepsy. One such medicinal plant is Eclipta alba (EA). According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the juice of leaves of EA is pounded with garlic and pepper for the treatment of epilepsy. Taking clue from the Ayurvedic system of medicines, we formulated coumarin fraction of EA, namely, coumarin nasal formulation (CNF) for its nasal delivery. CNF was analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy for its drug content determination. In vitro drug release studies were performed in simulated nasal electrolyte solution (SNES) maintaining constant pH of 5.5 at 37°C. Irritation by CNF was evaluated using hen's egg test chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay. Formulation was found to be non-irritant in HET-CAM assay. CNF was further assessed in vivo by measuring the progress and attainment of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling in mice. Neuronal changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Nissl staining technique. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) a neuroinflammatory marker and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) an inflammatory marker were also measured. CNF (10 mg/kg, nasal route) when given as a pretreatment lowered seizure score and delayed the progression of seizure similar to diazepam. CNF decreased the PTZ induced oxidative damage, TNF-α as well as GFAP levels in the midbrain tissue particularly in hippocampus region. The results suggest that CNF may be a promising therapeutic approach to offer protection from sudden recurrent seizures alone or in combination with current drugs in management of epilepsy.