Evaluation Of Anticonvulsant Activity Of Date (Phoenix Dactylifera) In Mice And Chicks

📄 Project Abstract

Phoenix dactylifera contains some phytochemical constituents which have been reported to be associated with different pharmacological activities. Triterpenes and steroids, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside among other phytochemicals have been reported to possess anticonvulsant activity. This study therefore is aimed at evaluating the anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera fruits using Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), Maximum electroshock test (MEST), Strychnine, Picrotoxin, 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) and Isoniazid (INH)-induced seizure. The acute toxicity study carried out on the aqueous extract revealed that the LD50 is above 5000 mg/kg i.e the extract is practically non-toxic. In each model of seizure, the animals were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was administered Normal Saline (10 ml/kg, p.o), groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered graded doses of the aqueous extract 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg (p.o) one hour before seizure induction while group 5 was treated with...