Antiepileptic Property of Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa Linn.) Methanolic Leaf Extracts Against Maximal Electroshock-induced White Mice (Mus musculus)

Abstract

Epilepsy is a widespread neurological problem. It is manifested in an erratic and periodic disturbance of neurologic activity called seizures. A preclinical study was conducted at the College of Pharmacy, Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, San Carlos City (Pangasinan)to investigate the antiepileptic property of the methanolic leaf extracts of Lagerstroemia speciosa Linn. In white mice using Maximal Electroshock-induced (MES) seizure model. The extract was dissolved using methanol. Three different doses (10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg) of the nontoxic experimental extract were administered intraperitoneally. Protection from Tonic-clonic types of seizures, and common symptoms such as loss of consciousness, rapid blinking, hair horripilation, and breathing mechanism were observed in the MES model induced at 50mA, 30 minutes after the administration of the different treatments. All doses of the methanolic leaf extract of Banaba significantly inhibited the occurrence of seizure-induced convulsions by the MES (p= 0.002). The experimental extracts also exhibited protection against rapid blinking of the eyes (p= 0.005) and hair horripilation (p= 0.000). 10 mg and 50 mg of Banaba methanolic leaf extracts had the highest percentages of protection and prevented the onset of seizures and some other forms of symptoms. The descriptive observations were scaled from one to two, according to the level of severity. The results were statistically analysed by Chi-Square test. Phytochemical analysis yielded flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and saponins. The results gathered suggest that the methanolic leaf extracts of Banaba are a potential source for anticonvulsant agents and possesses anticonvulsant activity against MES-induced seizures in white mice.