Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy
Year : 2007, Volume : 1, Issue : 1
First page : ( 112) Last page : ( 116)
Print ISSN : 0973-8916. Online ISSN : 2230-7303.

Anticonvulsant Potential of Essential oil of Artemisia abrotanum

Dhanabal S.P.*, Paramakrishnan N., Manimaran S., Suresh B.

Department of Phytopharmacy & Phytomedcicine, JSS College of Pharmacy, Post box No.20, Rocklands, Ootacamund, Tamilnadu, India

* For correspondence - dhanskanaksahil@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive electrical discharge in brain, which causes seizures. Epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorder in India. It is a very common disorder, characterized by seizures, which take various forms and result from episodic neuronal discharges, the form of the seizure depending on the part of the brain affected. The anti-convulsant properties of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Artemisia dracunculus has been reported. The present study was aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant potential of essential oil of Artemisia abrotanum which is available abundantly in Nilgiri Hills. The fresh leaves and flowering tops of A. abrotanum were subjected to extraction of essential oil by hydro distillation method using Clevenger apparatus. Experimental convulsion, in Swiss albino mice was induced by intra peritoneal administration of Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) at 100 mg/kg in sterile distilled water after 1h administration of the test drug (100, 400 and 800 mg/kg). Then onset and latency of seizures and mortality were estimated and compared with the solvent control group. Diazepam (1 mg/kg), which was used as a positive control showed significant (P<0.01) delay in the onset of myoclonic seizures (140.3±19.78) and significant increase in time to death latency (1800±0.0) when compared to control. All the animals of the Diazepam group survived against the Pentylenetetrazole challenge. The tested essential oil at 100 mg/kg showed significant (P<0.05) delay in the onset of myoclonic seizures (49.0±1.95). However, at doses of 400 and 800mg/kg did not produce any significant changes in the convulsive parameters, when compared to control.

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