Anti-Convulsant Activity of Aqueous and Alcohol Extracts of Roots and Rhizomes of Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntze in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntze (Menyanthaceae) is an aquatic herb used as an admixture along with Nymphoides macrospermum and as a substitute of Ayurvedic drug Tagara (Valeriana jatamansi Jones) in the treatment of various diseases like epilepsy, anemia, jaundice, tuberculosis to name a few. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the anti-convulsant effect of aqueous and alcohol extract of roots and rhizomes of Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntze using Maximum Electroshock Convulsion (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsion methods in swiss albino mice. The oral administration of alcohol and aqueous extracts at the dose level of 300 and 600 mg/kg reduced duration of extensor phase (HLTE) and time taken for recovery in MES induced convulsion model. Similarly both extracts delayed onset of convulsions and reduced the time taken for recovery in PTZ induced convulsions. Alcohol extract was found to be more effective and effect of alcohol and aqueous extract on extensor phase (HLTE) (MES) and onset of convulsions (PTZ) was dose dependent. It is concluded that roots and rhizomes of N. indica exhibit anticonvulsant activity, justifying its use as a substitute of Tagara (V. jatamansi) in treatment of epilepsy.