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PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDIES OF THE LEAVES OF Ficus nervosa Heyne ex Roth (Moraceae)

The present report is an investigation of anti-seizure activity of Dendrocnide harveyi (Family - Urticaceae) which is common in wet primary and secondary forests, edge of forests,and along streams from sea -level to midmontane. The methanolic (90%) extract of Dendrocnide harveyi (MEDH) was subjected to acute toxicity and then screened for antiepileptic activity on Maximal Electroshock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures models in albino wistar rats. Acute toxicity of extract was non toxic up to the recommended dose 2000mg/kg body weight orally as per OECD guidelines No.423. Animals were pretreated with MEDH at the doses of 200 and 400mg/kg body weight. The study reported the significant delay in clonic seizure induced by PTZ and dose dependent decrease in duration of hindleg extensor phase in MES model. In MES model, MEDH showed significant reduction in duration of hindleg extension with 200 mg/kg dose and effect was dramatically reduced with 400mg/kg. Similar dose dependent results were obtained in PTZ model by delayed the onset of clonic convulsions. The complete protective effect against mortality was reported in both the tests. This study predicted possible mechanism of the formulation mediated through chloride channel of the GABA or benzodiazepine receptor complex .However, the exact mechanism of action is not clear, but attributed to its antiepileptic effect. The methanolic extract of Dendrocnide harveyi deserves further investigation for detailed elucidation of active constituents and the mechanisms of action.