Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of RUTA GRAVEOLENS L in mice.

Abstract

Ruta graveolens L. has been used to treat various ailments including epilepsy in South Africa by traditional medicine practitioners. However. no scientific evidence exists to corroborate the claim that the plant species is effective in the treatment of epilepsy. This project was, therefore, carried out to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of the leaf methanol extract of Ruta graveolens by studying its effect against seizures elicited by either pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), bicuculline, picrotoxin or N-methyl-DL-aspartic acid (NMDLA) in mice. Qualitative phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity and HPLC studies were also carried out on the plant species. Leaf methanol extract of Rura graveolens (100 mg/kg, i.p.), phenobarbitone ( 12 mg/kg, i.p.), diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, i.p .) and muscimol (2 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly delayed the onset and also significantly reduced the incidence of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (95 mg/kg. i.p.). Ruta graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) or muscimol (0.6 mg/kg. i.p.) did not significantly affect either the onset or incidence of PTZ (95 mg/kg, i.p.)- induced 5eizures. R. graviolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and muscimol (0.6 mg/kg. i.p.), given together significantly prolonged the onset of PTZ (95 mg/kg ., i.p.) · induced seizures and also significantly reduced the number of mice convulsing. R. graveolens (50 mg/kg. i.p.) significantly delayed the onset of bicuculline (40 mg/kg, i.p.)induced seizures but did not significantly alter the number of animals convulsing. Ruta graveolens ( 100 mg/kg, i.p.), phenobarbitone ( 12 mg/kg, i.p. ), diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and muscimol (2 mg/kg, i.p.), significantly delayed the onset and significantly reduced the incidence of bicuculline (40 mg/kg. i.p.)- induced seizures. Ruta graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.), or muscimol (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) given alone, did not significantly affect the onset or the incidence of seizures induced by bicuculline (40 mg/kg, i.p.). Given together, 25 mg/kg (i.p.) of R. gra1·colem and 0.6